Auburn's first game as a ranked team didn't go well. The No. 23 Tigers dropped a Friday night contest against No. 18 Vanderbilt 11-6 at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn.

The Commodores (28-8, 7-6 SEC) built an 8-2 lead after three innings, getting a grand slam in the second from Connor Harrell.

It came at the expense of Auburn starter Cole Nelson (4-3). The left-hander, who didn't get out of the first inning against LSU last week, didn't get through the third Friday, giving up seven runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Vanderbilt starter Sonny Gray (5-4) gave up one earned run in 6 1/3 innings to get the win. He struck out seven.

Hunter Morris hit his 11 home run for Auburn (23-12, 7-6 SEC). Brian Fletcher and Dan Gamache had two hits apiece.

The teams meet again today at 3 p.m. ET, with Grant Dayton (4-1, 5.18 ERA) taking the mound for Auburn against Jack Armstrong (5-0, 3.43) of Vanderbilt.