Athens - If things go the way Stephen Dodson wants them to this weekend he has some advice for his Georgia baseball teammates as they prepare to take on N.C. State. The winner will advance to the College World Series.

"If we win, stay inside," the pitcher said. "Don't go out and party."

Dodson did take his party to the streets two years ago after his team earned the right to go to Omaha.

The celebration didn't last long.

Dodson hopped the fence at Foley Field and stole an NCAA baseball championship banner during the weekend of the 2006 Super Regional. He took and hung it back at his house. Dodson said it was a prank. The police became involved. The prank cost him. The Norcross product was left off the trip.

"He had been a integral part of this team and helped us get to Omaha and for him not to go with us was devastating," said Georgia coach David Perno.

But athletic department policy mandated a four-game suspension for Dodson. So he missed Georgia's two games in Omaha and the first two games of the 2007 season.

"That's not something I am going to forget," Dodson said.

Dodson and his father flew to Omaha and had to watch from the stands. The team tried to keep him involved by including him in activities. But Dodson, who had 19 appearances and a 4.66 ERA in 2006, was not allowed to be on the field or in the dugout.

"I wanted to be out there," Dodson said. "I just wanted a chance to be on that mound in front of all those people."

That chance has come around again for Dodson. And it is his last one. The senior pitcher and his team are two wins away from going back to Omaha. Georgia plays the Wolfpack at Foley Field in a three-game series starting today at noon.

"I know getting back there would mean a lot to all of us but especially to him," Nathan Moreau said. "He kind of tries to joke about it, but you know how tough it was for him not to be on the field last time we went."

"It would mean the world to me," Dodson said. "(The 2006 CWS) was one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through. But I try not to think about it anymore."

His focus this weekend is on a new role. Perno has moved Dodson out of his normal spot in the rotation and into the pen.

"It's not a demotion," Perno said.

Dodson (5-4, 4.41 ERA) and Perno agreed that his arm was tired. That, coupled with the fact long reliever Dean Weaver has a forearm contusion, led Perno to make the decision. Weaver could be ready. But just in case Dodson will be available to go against what is one of the nation's best pitching staffs (3.36 staff ERA).

"It's going to make us a stronger team," Perno said.