Smashing debut for Buentello as Auburn opens preseason practice
Junior college transfer Niko Buentello had two doubles and four RBI as Auburn opened up preseason practice Friday.
AUBURN | Niko Buentello was brought in to provide a big bat in the middle of Auburn’s lineup and that’s exactly what he delivered Friday.
The junior college transfer had two doubles and four RBI to lead the Blue team over the Orange 4-3 in a four-inning scrimmage.
"(Buentello) took advantage of his opportunities, he comes up with runners on base two times and made a difference in the ball game," first-year Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. "If you guys are looking for a most valuable player of today, it’s kind of obvious he had two meaningful at-bats in the ball game."
Buentello drove home Anfernee Grier with a double down the left field line in the first inning and smashed a bases-loaded double to left center in the third.
A native of Lewisville, Texas, Buentello spent a year at Oklahoma and a year at Grayson College before transferring to Auburn last summer. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound left-handed hitter will play first base and be a designated hitter for the Tigers.
“It was a blast to finally get out here and kind of show off our skills and everything we worked on in the fall,” Buentello said. “I love it (at Auburn). It's awesome. Couldn't ask to be at a better place.”
Friday was the first full-squad practice for Auburn, which opens the season in three weeks.
Junior Cole Lipscomb allowed one hit in two innings for the Blue team. Junior college transfer Ben Braymer allowed just one run in two innings with a couple of strikeouts for the Orange squad.
"Lipscomb came out there and got a good start. Braymer, you can see his fastball has some life," Thompson said.
Thompson, who was hired after fall practice ended in October, said he won't be recording any stats during preseason practice.
“We’ll probably let seniority rule the day," Thompson said. "How do you decide in all this? We’re going to use these older guys to rally and let them show the way. The positives I have with this team is so many coaches around college baseball work with their team.
"I think we have a chance to grow and develop more than any team in the league because we’re still in the infant stages of learning who they are.”
Auburn will scrimmage again both Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. CT. All scrimmages are open to the public.
Auburn opens the season Friday, Feb. 19 at home with a three-game series against Sacramento State.