ATLANTA (AP) -- Deck McGuire pitched eight strong innings, Jacob Esch had three RBIs and Tony Plagman drove in the go-ahead run to help Georgia Tech beat Alabama 5-2 on Saturday night and advance to the Atlanta Regional title game.

Georgia Tech (47-13) likely will play for a chance to host a super regional next week when it faces the Alabama-Mercer winner Sunday night. The Yellow Jackets have won two straight and three of four.

Alabama (38-23) has lost two of three after playing its way into an at-large bid with an eight-game winning streak that ended in the Southeastern Conference title game.

  

McGuire (9-4) allowed eight hits, two runs, two walks and struck out six. The right-handed ace is projected as a high pick in the upcoming baseball draft.