All season, the Auburn baseball team has been fighting with its backs against the wall.

The Tigers faced elimination in the loser's bracket of the SEC Tournament against Georgia on Wednesday, but Auburn defeated the Bulldogs, 3-2, at Regions Park to keep their season alive.

"It has been the theme all year; every game, every situation, every pitch, and here we are again," said Auburn head coach John Pawlowski. "Ninth inning, anything can happen.

"We were very fortunate today to come out with a win. I am really proud of our team. We responded well today."

Georgia loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth down 3-2 against Auburn senior reliever Justin Bryant, but Bryant held the Bulldogs scoreless, forcing Georgia's Peter Verdin to fly out to sophomore Bobby Andrews to end the game and preserve Auburn's season.

Bryant helped his chances at the save earlier in the game with a solo home run in the top of the third to give Auburn a 3-0 lead.

"Justin Bryant is one of the truest competitors we have on the team," Pawlowski said. "He swung the bat and got on the mound. I am really pleased with our club tonight."

Sophomore Jay Gonzalez crossed the plate for Auburn's first two runs, scoring from second on a Patrick Savage hit in the first inning, and scoring again from third on an RBI groundout by Creede Simpson in the third inning.

Bryant then blasted his home run over the left field wall.

"It's the SEC Tournament and your focus is turned up a little bit," said Bryant. "I just happened to get a couple of pitches up that I could handle."

Georgia scored both of their runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, on RBI singles from Nelson Ward and Conor Nelson. However, those were the only Georgia runs in the game, and the Tigers won in dramatic fashion in the ninth.

Auburn will face elimination once again Thursday against South Carolina. The Tigers were swept by the Gamecocks in regular season play.

First pitch is set for 4:30 at Regions Park, to be televised live by CSS.