Jon Duplantier allowed just three hits over 8 1/3 innings to lead No. 14 Rice to a 2-0 win over FIU at the FIU ballpark Friday night. Glenn Otto got the final two outs in the bottom of the ninth to record his eighth save.

The Owls (29-14, 16-6 Conference USA) took the opener of a three-game set with the Panthers (22-25, 9-13 C-USA) in a game that took just two hours and 14 minutes to complete. It was the fastest game played this season by FIU. Previously, FIU played a two-hour and 16-minute game at Louisiana Tech on April 16.

Duplantier didn't need much time or support to stifle the FIU bats. The Owls ace right-hander, who is expected to be a high Major League Baseball draft pick this June, struck out eight batters and allowed just one FIU baserunner to reach second base. Austin Rodriguez singled in the sixth inning and moved to second base after Kolby Follis singled. Duplantier had a stretch where he retired 13 consecutive batters.

FIU right-hander Cody Crouse matched zeros with Duplantier with the exception of the second and third innings when the Owls scratched out a run in each frame. Crouse pitched his first career complete game. The junior allowed 11 hits, two runs, walked three and did not strike out a batter.

Zack Soria had the other FIU hit -- a single in the first inning. Soria leads the Panthers with a .322 average.

FIU and Rice play the middle game of the series at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The game can be heard on the FIU Sports Radio Network.