RUSTON, La. — Making his first start in a little more than a month, Cody Crouse delivered a gem Friday night to spark FIU to a 1-0 win over Louisiana Tech at J.C. Love Field in Ruston, Louisiana.

The Panthers improved to 17-19 overall and 5-8 in Conference USA play. The Bulldogs dropped to 18-12 and 6-7 in C-USA.

Crouse (2-1) pitched a career-high 8 1/3 shutout innings, allowed five hits, walked three and struck out five Bulldogs. Crouse exited the game after walking two batters with one out in the ninth inning. Williams Durruthy got the final two outs to record his third save.

The last time Crouse started a game was March 13 when he went 6 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run in a win over Manhattan. Crouse was worked back slowly into the starting rotation this season after having minor elbow surgery last year.

Crouse's previous career-high in innings pitched in a game was eight, which he did in consecutive outings last season against Old Dominion and UAB. 

Friday night, Crouse worked quickly and efficiently, getting the first batter out in eight of the nine innings that he started. Crouse's performance was the second fastest game of the season for FIU. Friday's game took two hours and 36 minutes. Ironically, the fastest game of the season for the Panthers came one day before Crouse's last start — March 12th when Chris Mourelle needed just two hours and 24 minutes to defeat Manhattan.

FIU got the only run Crouse would need in the top of the fifth inning. Rey Perez led off the frame with a single to left field off Phillip Diehl (2-4). After Eddie Silva walked, Zack Soria hit a single up the middle that glanced off of second baseman Jordan Washam's glove and into short center field. Perez scored on the hit by Soria.

The series resumes at 4 p.m. EDT Saturday when Mourelle opposes La. Tech right-hander Cameron Linck. The game can be heard on the FIU Sports Radio Network.