SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- On Friday baseball fans around the country tuned in to watch Mo'ne Davis pitch Philadelphia's Taney Dragons to victory in their opening game of the Little League World Series.
On Sunday night, the Dragons treated viewers to a late-inning two-out rally capped off with a walk of victory to send the Mid-Atlantic representatives the tournament's semi-final against Las Vegas. Davis was unavailable to pitch Sunday after becoming the first girl in Little League World Series history to pitch a shutout, beating Tennessee 4-0 on Friday. Still, fans tuning in to see the 13-year-old phenom got to see Davis become the sixth girl in Little League World Series to get a hit with a first inning RBI single. The Dragons eventually defeated Pearland 7-6.
The comeback victory coupled with Davis' now infamous 70 mph have thrust the Philadelphia team into the national spotlight, with athletes and public figures in Philadelphia and around the country declaring their support for the Dragons.
Great enthusiasm at City Hall for the Taney Dragons! Go Mo'Ne and the whole team, doingwell and having fun! pic.twitter.com/cJezlGIp48
— Michael A. Nutter (@Michael_Nutter) August 15, 2014This youngster is striking everybody out and she is a girl. I love it. #itsanewday
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 15, 2014S/O to PA. and @MoNeDavis11. Rooting for u guys over here! #LLWS2014
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) August 15, 2014Although Davis would prefer the attention not fall solely to her, spectators can't help but marvel at the teenage girl who throws like a Major League All Star.
"I was watching the other day and they did a show about the mechanics of the team, of [Davis], and they equated it to the mechanics of [Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan] Papelbon, in maximizing her ability to [get behind the ball]," Phillies General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told CSNPhilly.
"It's pretty amazing. The velocity is pretty amazing. When you get right down to it, a person throwing 70 mph at that age? I don't think I could pick up a baseball and throw 70 mph right now."
Davis expected to start on the mound in Wednesday's game. First pitch is at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Minor setback. Had to go back and switch buses. #TaneyDragons overcome adversity. Williamsport here we come! pic.twitter.com/Iw4deaGOEC
— Taney Baseball (@taneybaseball) August 17, 2014#BREAKING: Philly's @taneybaseball wins 7-6: http://t.co/jWAjfUc7gz | #TaneyDragons #phillyinwilly pic.twitter.com/g5mPhpdCag
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) August 18, 2014#TaneyDragons on front page (and back page) of Monday's Philadelphia Daily News. pic.twitter.com/WQDe70hGwx
— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) August 18, 2014Baseball in Philly 2014 via @RobTornoe #TaneyTalk @taneybaseball #TaneyDragons #LLWS2014 #MoNeDavis pic.twitter.com/i5hFs4Y0Mf
— Gary Potosky (@InqPotosky) August 18, 2014Today's @PhillyInquirer toon about the unstoppable Mo'ne Davis. She's batting 6th & playing 3rd tonight #TaneyDragons pic.twitter.com/cb6pjxY6rx
— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) August 17, 2014Read More
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