Younis, Edmonds and Shepherd take on world in Mexico

THREE Penrith men have just arrived in Mexico to take on the world’s best in the under-23 Baseball World Cup.

Jacob Younnis from Penrith is playing for the Australian under 23s baseball side.

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THREE Penrith men have just arrived in Mexico to take on the world’s best in the under-23 Baseball World Cup.

Jacob Younis, Guy Edmonds and Zac Shepherd – all Penrith Baseball Club products – will be out to help Australia make an impression in the 12-team tournament.

Younis, who will play short stop, says the Australian’s spoke about qualifying for the second round after drawing a tough pool ahead of Friday’s first game.

“It will be tough competition, especially in our pool with the number one side Japan in there along with Chinese-Taipei, but we should make it through to the second round,” he said.

“We finished a good training camp just before we left and I think we’ll hit the ground running which is what you’ve got to do in this type of tournament play.”

Jacob Younnis from Penrith is playing for the Australian under 23s baseball side.

Catcher Guy Edmonds will be one to watch and Younis said he was “probably one of the big bats of the line-up” while Shepherd is expected to be a main player from first base.

“He’s with the Detriot Tigers organisation at the moment,” Younis said.

“We’ve got to play perfect defence and execute plays when needed. We’ve basically got to be perfect to beat some of the teams.

“It will be challenging but I think we can live up to it. We can’t afford to drop an easy game.”

Head coach Tony Harris said he was excited to see how the team performed on the world stage.

“It’s a great chance for these guys to get some international exposure,” he said.

The tournament runs from October 28 to November 6.