Athens — Georgia was suddenly put in an unfamiliar position surrounded by uncharted waters at 3:02 p.m. Friday.

The Bulldogs were winners in the first game of a NCAA postseason series. For those who didn't faint from the heat Friday, feel free to do so now.

Speaking of wilting, N.C State did just that. The Wolfpack and its vaunted pitching staff (3.36 ERA) never stopped Georgia and its resurgent bats as the Bulldogs won 11-4 in front of 3,517 at Foley Field.

Georgia, who has a history of losing early and coming back late when it comes to the postseason, is now one victory away from the College World Series. And it is not one game away from elimination. The two teams will play again at noon Saturday on ESPN2.

"We are going to be ready to go tomorrow," said Georgia's Gordon Beckham. "We can't be complacent tomorrow. Tomorrow is the game we have got to win. We have go out and take it from them because they are not just going to roll over."

So Georgia is now awash in victory and a slight bit of relief. The relief comes from the fact that Trevor Holder appears to be back. The junior had been the No. 1 starter this season, but a shoulder problem sidelined him in the last series of the season against Alabama. He lost his comeback game against Lipscomb last week. And on top of all that, his ERA in the past three games was a whopping 14.65.

Everything changed Friday. Holder pitched a career-high 8 2/3 innings and struck out five — and he was drafted just as the game was starting in the 10th round by the Florida Marlins.

"I just found out right after the game," Holder said about being drafted. "It has been a nice day today. Yesterday I was watching the computer screen not really dejected ... then [coach David Perno] called me and reminded me what we are here for. That is to go win the national championship and that got my head straight."

Holder was straight effective for most of the game. He was so effective that N.C. State apparently thought he was doing something wrong. Just after Chris Schaeffer struck out in the fourth, the umpire was asked to check Holder's cap.

"He kept going to his mouth and then going to his hat a lot," said N.C. State coach Elliott Avent. "It was a hot day and your hands tend to sweat. It is a good day to put a pine tar or rosin or something up there. There was a discoloration up there. [The umpire] checked it and said it wasn't too sticky, so he was OK with it."

On the other side of things Clayton Shunick, who came in with a 2.16 ERA, allowed more runs (eight) than in any game over the previous two years.

The Wolfpack staff allowed only seven runs in its three-game regional last week. Georgia scored 56 runs in its five-game regional. Some something had to give.

Actually it was someone who gave and has continued to give for Georgia. Since Perno threatened to bench Rich Poythress after the Lipscomb game because of his ineffective bat, the first baseman has 12 RBI. His bat was part of the four-run third inning that staked Georgia to a lead that was never threatened.