Kyler Deese stepped up and Auburn picked up its first SEC win of the season by knocking off the defending national champions Friday night at Plainsman Park.

The sophomore designated hitter's three-run double down the left-field line in the sixth inning propelled the Tigers to a five-run inning that ultimately pushed the Tigers to a 6-4 victory against No. 4 Vanderbilt.

"I just really wanted to work hard to do everything I could to keep the game alive and score some runs," Deese said on Auburn's post-game radio show.

Vanderbilt is the highest-ranked opponent knocked off by Auburn since it defeated No. 2 Florida in 2012.

Auburn (15-7, 1-3 SEC) trailed 2-1 entering the inning after Dansby Swanson's solo shot over the gren monster in left broke the tie.

Auburn starter Keegan Thompson (4-2, 4.09 ERA) spent 6 2/3 innings on the mound and struck out eight batters while allowing three runs on seven hits. He threw 113 pitches to pick up the win. Reliever Cole Lipscomb picked up the save with four strikeouts while allowing one run on two hits in the final 2 1/3 innings.

Damon Haecker was 2-for-4 with a double, triple and one RBI to lead the Tigers. His triple set up the Tigers' sixth-inning rally. An error allowed Cody Nulph to reach and Haecker to score. Later, a wild pitch allowed Deese, who already smacked a three-run double, to advance to third. He scored on Melvin Gray's single through the middle of the Vanderbilt defense.

Vanderbilt starter Carson Fulmer (3-1, 1.79) gave up six runs, but only one was earned as he struck out eight and walked three in 5 2/3 innings. The loss was his first of the season.

Vanderbilt (17-5, 3-1) was charged with three errors and gave up eight hits.

"I'm proud of them but we have a long ways to go," Auburn coach Sunny Golloway said. "Big day tomorrow."

Auburn and Vanderbilt will cap the three-game series with a doubleheader Saturday starting at 2 p.m.