Little League phenom Mo’ne Davis, the Philadelphia girl drawing rave reviews nationwide for her baseball talents and vibrant personality, has one big fan in New Jersey.
Kayla Roncin, a 12-year-old Jersey girl who drew her own headlines before Toms River Little League fell in the Mid-Atlantic regional semifinals, struck up a friendship with Mo’ne during the regionals in Bristol, Conn. The pain of falling two wins shy of Williamsport hasn’t stopped her from watching — and rooting on — Mo’ne and the Taney Youth Baseball Association in the Little League World Series.
The teams didn’t face each other in the regionals.
“It’s good another girl can make it and throw a shutout in a big game like that,” Kayla told The Post Tuesday afternoon, referring to Mo’ne’s complete game performance in the Little League World Series opener against South Nashville (Tenn.) Little League. “I like how she works hard and doesn’t get upset if somebody gets a hit off her. She keeps trying harder every time.”
Unlike Mo’ne, 13, whose strength clearly is pitching, Kayla made a name for herself with the bat, belting a two-run homer in the New Jersey state championship game and batting .500 (4-for-8) in the regionals. They bonded in Bristol, and Kayla hopes to see Mo’ne’s team go as far as possible.
“We became friends with all of them, so I hope they win,” Kayla said. “I wanted to be there, but I’m happy they got to get that far.
“I think they can make it to the championship.”