John Pawlowski didn’t hesitate Tuesday to bring up the three magic letters that represent Auburn’s last shred of hope for continuing its season past this weekend.

RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) — a key tool the NCAA Selection Committee uses to pick the field of 64 for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Surprisingly, it’s on Auburn’s side, and it certainly got a boost after the Tigers’ 8-6 victory over Georgia Southern before a sparse crowd at Plainsman Park.

“You always have to hold out hope,” Pawlowski said. “You never know what the committee is going to decide to do.”

According to a number of reputable RPI Web sites, Auburn (29-24) hovers anywhere between 30 and 40 — better than some SEC teams that, unlike Auburn, will actually make the eight-team conference tournament next week. In all of those polls, the Eagles (35-15) were a few spots higher, making Tuesday’s seemingly meaningless midweek matchup an important win for the Tigers.

Of course, it will be rendered to nothing more than a short-lived pick-me-up if Auburn doesn’t win at least two games this weekend against Alabama — a top 20 RPI team.

Just don’t ask Pawlowski to explain how it will all work out in the end.

“You never know what the committee is going to decide to do,” he said. “There’s a lot of upsets and things that can happen in tournaments down the road.”

Auburn’s fleeting hopes were kept alive in typical Auburn fashion — just barely.

The Tigers built a 6-2 lead after two innings when it chased erratic Georgia Southern starter Andy Moye, who walked five of the 14 batters he faced. When he wasn’t missing the plate, Auburn was ripping it all over — but still inside — Plainsman Park.

Casey McElroy and Ben Jones each had RBI doubles, while Hunter Morris chipped in with an RBI single to push the Tigers out to an early edge.

It wouldn’t last.

While Auburn’s bats went to rest for the next five innings, Georgia Southern evened the score at 6 with a four-run fifth inning off reliever Scott Shuman, whose rough effort was compounded by a Justin Hargett error.

Auburn didn’t take control of its 29th win of the season, which clinched a winning record, until the eighth inning.

Brian Fletcher scored Trent Mummey with a single up the middle and McElroy followed with his second RBI double of the night to help give Sean Ray, who pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, his first collegiate win and Austin Hubbard his SEC-best 12th save of the season.

“That was huge,” Hubbard said. “Guys are up in the dugout a little more, the pitchers are excited.

“It’s fun to win.”

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