WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Purdue Boilermakers aim for a three-game sweep of the Indiana Hoosiers in a Big Ten split doubleheader Sunday at Alexander Field.

Purdue (33-15, 13-7 Big Ten) has won the first two games of the series, edging Indiana 5-4 on Saturday and 11-9 on Friday. The Boilermakers are projected to win the Sunday nightcap 7-4, according to Interstat’s game simulator. First pitch for the afternoon game is set for 1 p.m., with the evening game to follow. The forecast calls for 66 degrees and cloudy skies.

Indiana (21-29, 6-14) has lost four straight and 10 of its last 12. The Hoosiers are trying to avoid being swept for the second consecutive weekend after dropping three games at Northwestern from May 1-3.

Players to watch

Indiana right-hander Brayton Thomas delivered his best outing of the season in Saturday’s loss, throwing 5⅓ shutout innings without allowing a hit while striking out two. The performance was a stark turnaround from his previous three starts, in which he surrendered a combined 13 earned runs over 10⅓ innings while taking losses against Northwestern, Iowa and Abilene Christian.

Purdue right-hander Zach Erdman earned the win Saturday, allowing two earned runs on eight hits over six innings with six strikeouts. The victory continued a strong stretch for the junior, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four appearances, including a six-inning shutout effort against Murray State on May 2.

Recent results

Indiana lost its last game 5-4 at Purdue on Saturday. Center fielder Cole Decker went 3-for-4 for the Hoosiers.

Purdue won its last game 5-4 over Indiana on Saturday. Center fielder Brandon Rogers went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Series history

Purdue leads the season series 2-0 and has won five of the last six meetings.

Up next

Indiana returns home to host Illinois for a three-game series beginning Thursday, May 14. Purdue travels to Ball State on Tuesday, May 12, before opening a three-game series at Iowa on Thursday, May 14.