ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Recognition of Northwestern Oklahoma State University baseball's success on the field has now moved to the regional level as the Rangers were ranked fifth in the newest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Central Region Poll when the organization released its latest poll on Monday.

It's the first time Northwestern (10-1) has been ranked in the regional rankings since becoming a member of the NCAA prior to the 2013 season. The Rangers received a first place vote and 54 total votes in the latest poll.

Fellow Great American Conference member Southern Arkansas (3-0) dropped to third in the Central Regional, while Harding (Ark.) (7-3) entered the poll at No. 10. The Rangers next opponents, Oklahoma Baptist, received three points in the poll.

Northwestern will take on the Bison this weekend at home in a three-game conference set. Game one of the series is schedule for 6 p.m. Friday evening at Glass Family Field at Myers Stadium, with a doubleheader set for 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Rangers are currently in the midst of its best start since the 2005 season. This past week, NWOSU throttled SNU in a three game series with a 11-5 in the first game, and plated 31 total runs in the Saturday doubleheader.

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