Sophomore pitcher Chris Niesel hasn't lost a step since his dominating performances in the 2002 post-season, logging five innings of work and getting the 9-1 victory for the Gold Squad in the first of the three-game Blue-Gold intra-squad series to conclude the fall season for the Irish.

Niesel, who was 2-0 with a 2.23 ERA in three post-season games, shut down a powerful Florida State team in the deciding game of the NCAA Super Regionals to send the Irish to the College World Series for the first time in 45 years.

Classmate John Axford took the loss for the Blue team, but allowed only three of the team's runs in his five innings.

Notre Dame will play the second game of the series this afternoon with 6'7" freshman Tom Thorton set to go for the Gold and senior Ryan Kalita slated to start for the Blue.

Highly-touted freshman Ryan Doherty — a right hander who stands 7'2" — is expected to see significant time for the Gold squad in the final exhibition of the fall series Thursday.

Both games are scheduled for seven innings and will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Eck Stadium.

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