Mo'Ne Davis throws like a girl and it worked for her. The female pitcher delivered a shutout game for her Philadelphia-based Taney Dragons team and helped them advance to the Little League World Series.
The 13-year-old girl didn't give up any runs in six innings, leading to an 8-0 victory against Newark National (Delaware), according to the AP. She allowed only three hits and struck out six batters in the Mid-Atlantic Regional championship game in Bristol, Connecticut. Davis only needed 80 of her max 85 pitches to get the job done.
"She was in control of the whole game from start to finish," opposing manager Tim Bush told The Patriot News. It was the second victory for Davis over the Delaware state champs. She beat them earlier in the regional, striking out 10.
The Taney Dragons scored four runs in the first inning, and Davis took care of the rest. She ended the top of the second inning with three straight strikeouts.
Davis will become the 17th girl to participate in the Little League World Series in 68 years, and she won't be alone. Emma March of South Vancouver Little League in British Columbia, Canada will also participate. It will only be the third time that two girls have competed in the same World Series.
Girls were first admitted into the league after a New Jersey ruling on Nov. 7, 1973. Approximately 5 million girls have played Little League Baseball and Softball (established in 1974) in the past 30 years, according to MomsTeam.com.
"The institution of Little League is as American as the hotdog and apple pie," said Sylvia Pressler, hearing examiner for the New Jersey Civil Rights Division. "There is no reason why that part of Americana should be withheld from girls."
The double-elimination Little League World Series starts on Aug. 14 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Davis and the Taney Dragons will face South Nashville Little League of Nashville, Tennessee at 3 p.m. ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will air all of the games.
