CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Bulldogs had a two-out rally fall short in 4-3 season-opening loss at The Citadel on Friday afternoon.

AJ Gaich delivered a two-run, two-out double in the ninth before the final out was recorded.  Gaich was one of five Bulldogs to record a hit.  

Alex Stiegler went the first five innings and took the loss after The Citadel jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. Stiegler struck out eight, walked four and allowed four hits.  

Thomas Espig came on in the sixth, retired the first two hitters, gave up a double and hit a batter.  Grant Kipp came on to close out the inning. 

Kipp pitched the final 2 and 1/3 innings for the Bulldogs and allowed one unearned run.  

Yale scored its first run of game in the fourth.  Mason LaPlante led off the inning with a single up the middle and Jake Gehri followed with a double. 

Teddy Hague grounded out to second to score LaPlante, advance Gehri to third and cut the deficit to 3-1.  The Citadel starter Shane Connolly kept Gehri from advancing any further by recording two strikeouts.

After The Citadel made it 4-1 with a run in the seventh, Yale rallied in the ninth. Cal Christofori led off with a walk.  Dylan Kim pinch ran and was retired when Pierce Blohowiak reached on a fielder's choice. 

With one out, Blohowiak stole second and third.  Harry Hegeman walked and scored with Blohowiak on the Gaich double. 

The two teams will play game two of the three-game series tomorrow at 2 p.m.