Auburn softball matched its best start in program history thanks to its first win over a ranked opponent this season, but couldn't break it and lost its first game of the season.

No. 6/12 Auburn improved to 15-0 for the third time in program history with a 6-2 win over No. 25 Notre Dame, but lost to Wisconsin, 3-2, at the Mary Nutter Classic Thursday afternoon in Cathedral City, California.

"Our defense wasn't as good as it's been," Auburn coach Mickey Dean said during a postgame radio interview. "I think we gave up five runs today and four were unearned. We have to be better than that."

Against Notre Dame, Victoria Draper and Taylon Snow each scored twice, Courtney Shea and Justus Perry each had RBI doubles and Kaylee Carlson earned her seventh win of the season as Auburn matched its best start in program history, also starting 15-0 in 2011 and 2012.

Draper remains the ultimate table setter for the Tigers.

The senior center fielder reached base and stole second twice in both games, upping her nation-leading total to 18.

Against Wisconsin, she hit an RBI single and was drive in by Perry as Auburn took a 2-0 lead in the third.

Makayla Martin pitched four hitless innings before a leadoff homer in the fifth made it 2-1. It snapped the junior's streak of 37 scoreless innings to start the season.

The Badgers took the lead in the top of the sixth on an RBI fielder's choice off Chardonnay Harris that led to two runs on a throwing error by Shea, one of two in the game for the Tigers.

Against Notre Dame, Draper came around to score twice as Auburn built a 3-0 lead after three.

Notre Dame (6-4) got on the board via a two-run single by Katie Marino that made it 3-2 after four.

They were the only runs allowed by Carlson on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts over five innings. Harris allowed one hit and a walk and struck out two over two innings of relief.

Auburn expanded its lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth via RBI singles by Alyssa Rivera and Tannon Snow and a passed ball.

The Tigers continue play in California against San Jose State at 2:30 p.m. CT Friday.

James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea.