By NICK VILLALOBOS
Sports Editor

Northwestern baseball got swept against East Central last weekend.

The Rangers entered the three-game series against the Tigers looking for redemption after a devastating 2-1 series loss to Southeastern the week before.

Play began with a rescheduled doubleheader Friday.

In game one, the Rangers built an early 4-1 advantage on the Tigers after a two-run home run by Ranger Matt Benn, followed by a double by Jeremy Smith.

The Tigers, however, would soon take the lead after scoring one run in the fourth inning followed by five in the fifth, giving them an 8-4 lead.

The Rangers would soon tie the game at eight apiece after a Christian Hammerl single and a single by Jeff Martin.

The Tigers then managed to seal the game-one win with a big two-run home run, lifting them to a 10-8 lead.

In game two Friday, the Tigers did not even make it a fight for the Rangers as they took a commanding 7-1 win, dropping the Rangers 0 for 2 on Friday afternoon.

The lone score for the Rangers was by Smith, who reached home plate after a single by Martin.

Play then continued Saturday afternoon for the conclusion of the series against East Central.

The Rangers got on the board first with a double by Martin, allowing teammate Smith to score. In the next two innings, the Tigers would tack on the final two runs of the game to seal a 2-1 victory and a 3-0 series sweep.

The series loss for the Rangers drops them to 6-7 on the season and 1-5 in conference play.

The Rangers will be back in action Friday as they go on the road to face conference opponent Arkansas Monticello at 1 p.m.