LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky placed itself in a good position to secure a spot in the upcoming SEC Tournament by splitting a doubleheader with No. 18 Auburn on Friday at Kentucky Proud Park.

The Wildcats were impressive in the opener, cruising to a 5-1 victory. The Tigers evened the series with a 6-3 win in the second game, setting up a decisive finale on Saturday at KPP.

Kentucky (29-24, 11-18 SEC) can clinch a spot in the SEC Tournament with a win. If the Cats lose, they may need some help from either Missouri losing at Georgia or Alabama being swept by Arkansas, which has won the first two games of the series.

The bottom two teams in the league standings will not advance to Hoover, Ala., next week. The group of teams still holding their breath includes UK, Alabama, Missouri, and Mississippi State, the latter which is on the verge of being swept by SEC regular season champion Tennessee.

To get here, Kentucky had to win one of Friday's two games after the series was delayed by storms on Thursday.

The Cats got a strong pitching performance in Game 1 as Zack Lee, Daniel Harper, and Sean Harney combined to shut down the Auburn bats. Lee started and worked 3.1 innings, working around five walks to escape without surrendering a run. Harper (3-1) worked the next 2.2 innings, allowing just one run, and Harney tossed three perfect innings to close the game out.

Senior outfielder Adam Fogel had three hits and drove in a run to lead Kentucky at the plate, while fellow senior outfielder John Thrasher added two hits and two RBI. Chase Estep and Devin Burkes also drove in a run for the Cats.

After Kentucky's Ryan Ritter homered to give his team a 1-0 lead in Game 2, Auburn (37-17, 16-12 SEC) responded with three runs in the third inning and two in the fourth to take control.

A two-run double by Kason Howell and an RBI triple from Bobby Peirce were the key hits. Peirce led Auburn's 12-hit attack with three.

Auburn starter Trace Bright (3-4) picked up the win, holding UK to two runs on five hits and no walks. He also struck out five. A trio of Tiger relievers made the lead stand up, capped by Blake Burkhalter's 13th save of the season with two innings of scoreless work.

Kentucky starter Tyler Bosma (3-4) took the loss, leaving the game in the third inning after expriencing physical issues.

Game 3 is slated for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.