WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Purdue Boilermakers, riding a strong start to their season, will look to get back in the win column when they host the struggling Valparaiso Beacons in nonconference baseball action Tuesday evening at Alexander Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures expected to be around 44 degrees.

Purdue (14-7) enters having dropped a high-scoring series finale to Penn State, 14-9, on Sunday. The Boilermakers had won the first two games of that set and have shown considerable offensive firepower throughout the season.

Third baseman Sam Flores has been a key catalyst. He went 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in Sunday’s loss and has three homers and 11 RBIs in his last six games. His power bat anchors a lineup that has produced 10 or more runs in five games this year.

Valparaiso (6-13) seeks to halt a three-game skid after being swept at Murray State over the weekend. The Beacons fell 13-12 in a wild finale on Sunday, a game in which they blew a late lead.

Shortstop Case Sullivan was a bright spot in that loss, driving in four runs on three hits. He will need to spark an offense that has been held to three runs or fewer in nine of its 13 losses this season.

The Boilermakers hold a distinct advantage in the early-season trajectory. Purdue’s .667 winning percentage contrasts sharply with Valparaiso’s .316 mark. According to Interstat’s game simulator, Purdue is projected to win 6-2.

This marks the first of a busy midweek stretch for both clubs. Purdue will host Illinois-Chicago on Wednesday before a Big Ten series at Michigan State this weekend. Valparaiso continues its road swing before returning home to host Indiana State in a Missouri Valley Conference series starting Friday.

The Boilermakers are 22-4 all-time against the Beacons, including a 15-1 mark at home.