PREVIEW: Murray State at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — A pitching rematch highlights Sunday’s doubleheader as Murray State visits Purdue at Alexander Field.

The Racers (26-19) and Boilermakers (29-15) split the first two games of the weekend series. Purdue won 7-5 on Friday; Saturday was rained out and will be made up as part of Sunday’s twin bill, with the first game in the afternoon and the second in the evening. Forecasts call for 51-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.

Pitcher Nic Schutte is a key player for Murray State. The right-hander struggled Friday, allowing five earned runs on no hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss. Prior to that, Schutte delivered a complete-game, one-run performance against Southern Illinois on April 24 and fired 7 1/3 scoreless innings against Illinois State on April 17.

Purdue counters with righty Cole Van Assen, who earned the win Friday, scattering seven hits and striking out six over six innings. Van Assen has been consistent, allowing three earned runs or fewer in each of his past four starts, including a five-inning, two-run outing against Ohio State on April 17.

Purdue is projected to win by a slim 7-6 margin in Interstat’s game simulator.

The Boilermakers enter having won four of their last five, including a 5-1 victory over Southern Indiana on Wednesday. First baseman Aaron Manias homered Friday, and reliever Jake Kramer threw a scoreless frame.

Murray State has lost two of three after a stretch of four wins in five games. Right fielder Kris Hokenson drove in two runs Friday on a 2-for-5 day.

Following Sunday’s twin bill, Murray State hosts Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday before a three-game series with Indiana State. Purdue hosts Ball State on Tuesday before opening a three-game set against Indiana.