STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State softball pitchers don’t lack confidence.

They showed that in non-conference play and were dominant helping the Bulldogs get off to a quick start. But the challenge of facing Auburn to start Southeastern Conference play was a different story. The Tigers entered the three-game weekend series averaging 10.5 runs per game, but it didn’t faze the Bulldogs.

In the end, MSU coach Vann Stuedeman couldn’t have asked for much more than she received from her pitchers, including Sunday when No. 3 Auburn scratched out two unearned runs in a 2-0 win at Nusz Park. The victory helped the Tigers (26-4, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) take two of three in the series.

“I think it just shows we are a staff mentality and that we are all here for a reason,” MSU junior left-hander Alexis Silkwood said. “One thing (coach Stuedeman) says is, ‘Trust us, trust our process and trust yourselves out there.’ ”

MSU (19-8, 1-2) limited Auburn to eight runs in the series. In a 3-2 14-inning loss Friday, Silkwood (0-3) threw 13 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits. She walked nine, but she worked out of trouble with four strikeouts. She started Sunday and surrendered two runs, both unearned, on one hit in three innings. She walked five and struck out four.

The East Alton, Illinois, native sat out the first month of the season so younger pitchers could gain experience. In her first two outings (Western Kentucky and Penn State) she threw 37 pitches, but March 12 against Cal State Fullerton, Silkwood threw 114 pitches. She threw 309 pitches this weekend.

“She is a workhorse,” MSU freshman right-hander Regan Green said. “She pushes out there and she dominates each pitch. She’s never going to quit, and that’s what I love about her. She’s always punching them in the mouth over and over again. She’s awesome.”

Green recorded the final two outs Friday, but she threw a wild pitch that allowed the winning run to score. She shook it off and was what MSU needed in relief Sunday. The Hebron, Maryland, native pitched four innings of no-hit ball to give the Bulldogs a chance. She walked three, but struck out five, including two looking in the seventh inning to strand two.

“When she goes out there she doesn’t look like a freshman,” Silkwood said. “She’s talking the game, she’s staying poised, and she’s staying within herself. She’s going to go out there each time and throws her best.”

Sophomore right-hander Holly Ward (9-2) pitched a complete game to help MSU win 6-3 Saturday. The Haleyville, Alabama, native allowed one earned run on five hits. She walked three and struck out four.

Ward appeared in 20 games with 12 starts in 2015, so the SEC weekend was nothing new to her, but Stuedeman was glad Ward and Green experienced success in the circle.

“It was great for both of them,” Stuedeman said. “That will boost their confidence and the team’s confidence because they’ll know we can hang in there with any offense in the country.”

After scoring six runs with two outs Saturday, junior utility player Katie Anne Bailey and junior utility player Amanda Ivy said the Bulldogs have the same attitude regardless of the situation at the plate.

The pitching staff has a similar view.

“We go after every batter the same. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing,” Green said. “We know we’re good and we tell ourselves that. That gives us the confidence.”

Silkwood and Green kept the Bulldogs in the game Sunday, but an error by Kayla Winkfield in the third allowed two runs to score. MSU stranded nine runners on base. It left the bases loaded in the sixth. Pinch hitter Morgan Bell struck out for the second out and Winkfield grounded out to squander the scoring opportunity. After a two-out pinch-hit single by Sarai Niu in the seventh, Caroline Seitz hit one hard, but shortstop Whitney Jordan dove back toward the bag to catch the line drive and preserve the win. MSU outhit Auburn four to one.

Stuedeman said it has been the same story for the offense all season long: a lack of timely hitting.

In the circle, though, Stuedeman’s confidence in her pitchers continues to soar, especially after this weekend’s performance.

“The pitchers have really been doing a great job,” Stuedeman said. “They really just compliment each other very well in their styles. They do well together, starting and closing.”

n No. 13 Kentucky 6, Ole Miss 2: At Lexington, Kentucky, the Wildcats scored three early runs Sunday to take the series finale at John Cropp Stadium.

Kentucky (25-4, 5-1) hit two home runs in the first inning to help it overcome late surges by the Rebels (24-7, 2-4).

Senior Madi Osias went the first three innings and allowed five runs and four walks. Elisha Jahnke threw the final three frames and allowed one run and five hits.

Junior catcher Courtney Syrett had a solo home run — her second of the weekend. Sarah Van Schaik had an RBI on an infield groundout that scored Miranda Strother.

Ole Miss will play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Memphis.

n Alabama-Birmingham 3, Southern Mississippi 2: At Hattiesburg, the Southern Miss softball team dropped a 3-2 decision to UAB on Sunday afternoon at the Softball Complex.

With the win, the Blazers (10-17, 2-1 Conference USA) took two of three games in the weekend series from the Golden Eagles (15-16, 2-4).

Former New Hope High School standout Lauren Holifield and Tori Dew had home runs for Southern Miss.

Southern Miss will play Florida Atlantic this weekend in a Conference USA series.

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.