Auburn’s Southeastern Conference losing streak is no more.

The Tigers bounced back from an SEC-opening sweep at Florida with a nail-biting, 2-0, win against No. 16 Kentucky. And according to head coach Tom Slater, they had fun doing it.

“We had great energy in the dugout tonight,” Slater said. “We had good leadership from some older guys that weren’t in the game.

“It was a lot of fun to be in our dugout. Our kids were enjoying that game immensely.”

Auburn (13-8, 1-3 SEC) kept things interesting. AU pitchers escaped jams in five different innings, pitching their way around UK rallies.

Kentucky (19-1, 3-1) entered the game leading the SEC in hitting and pitching. The Wildcats’ defense made an impact, but the offense had an off night. UK couldn’t capitalize on its many opportunities.

Kentucky loaded the bases in the first inning against Auburn starter Grant Dayton (2-1). But the Wildcats couldn’t take advantage: Dayton struck out Ryan Wilkes, then forced Chris McClendon into an inning-ending popout.

It was the first time the Wildcats left men on base. It was far from the last: UK stranded 12 runners.

“We needed that win, especially in the SEC,” Dayton said. “It doesn’t matter who it was — an SEC win felt great. We needed it for our confidence as a team.

Auburn’s offense, meanwhile, came through. The Tigers scored a run against UK starter Chris Rusin (3-1) in the bottom of the first and added another in the fourth. That was more than enough support for Dayton.

“Grant was outstanding,” Slater said. “He did exactly what we look for him to do.”

The Wildcats mounted their last big threat in the eighth inning when reliever Evan Crawford walked Wilkes and Marcus Nidiffer with one out.

But former Central star Bryan Woodall ended the rally with one pitch. Woodall, who replaced Crawford after Nidiffer’s walk, forced Chris Wade into a double play, ending the inning.

“I really wanted him to put the ball on the ground,” Woodall said. “Our defense is outstanding: I knew if I got a ground ball, I’d get out of the inning.”

Woodall picked up his fifth save with three strikeouts in the ninth inning.

The series continues at 3 p.m. today. Freshman left-hander Cory Luckie (2-2, 2.05 ERA) will start for Auburn against Kentucky right-hander Scott Green (2-0, 1.64).

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