The Texas Rangers continue to venture even further into the uncharted territory of postseason baseball, and fans across ACU’s campus have caught a sweeping case of “Rangers Fever.”

Several groups of fans gathered in various locations around campus to watch Game 5 of the American League Championship Series between the Rangers and New York Yankees, hoping to see the Rangers secure their spot in the World Series.

“They’ll at least go all the way to the World Series,” said Bradley Campbell, senior psychology major from Abilene. “I was raised in Fort Worth and grew up going to all the games. You can’t grow up there and not be a Rangers fan.”

At 7-2 the Yankees were ultimately victorious in Game 5, but the Rangers still lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

The televisions in the McGlothlin Campus Center were tuned to the game, and several students gathered around the screens to watch.

Other students headed to dorm lobbies across campus. Cason Dickson, a student in the graduate school of theology from Normal, Ill., watched the game in the Mabee Hall lobby. He said he is confident the Rangers are headed to the World Series.

“I genuinely think with the way they’ve played the last three games that it would take an act of God for them to fumble this one,” Dickson said.

The Rangers’ recent success has also created a following of new fans who are cheering for the team. John Martin, freshman advertising and public relations major from Pflugerville, is normally a Houston Astros fan, but he is cheering for the Rangers during the 2010 playoffs.

“Truthfully, I’m an Astros fan, but they are trash this year,” Martin said. “So I decided to root for the Rangers this year.”

Even with the Rangers’ success, the Yankees still have their loyal followers on campus. Timmy Fuentes, sophomore business management major from Monahans, has been a Yankees fan his whole life. He said he has been surprised with the series so far but thinks the Yankees still have a chance to win.

“The Yankees haven’t been too hot this year, but they are still the Yankees,” Fuentes said.

“If they keep playing well I think they can come back and win the series.”

The Rangers also have the support of President Phil Schubert, who said his entire family supports the Rangers.

“My son has developed several different dance moves when the Rangers do well,” Schubert said.

Schubert said Rangers’ outfielder Josh Hamilton is his family’s favorite player, and he believes the Rangers will come out on top in their series with the New York Yankees.

Game 6 of the ALCS will be played at 7:07 p.m. Friday back in Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.