LBCC Diversity Day

A Native American woman performing a ritual dance at the LBCC diversity day
in the courtyard 

A Native American woman performing at the LBCC diversity day

A Native American Man performing at the LBCC diversity day

The Native American group performing at the LBCC diversity day

A man performing with bongo drums at the LBCC diversity day

Taylor Higgins Profile

#9 Taylor Higgins
Photo courtesy of  Michael DeChellis.

 Reno, Nevada has a population of 225,221 and is known as "The biggest little city in the world." Reno is also the place that Roadrunner baseball player Taylor Higgins calls home.

Higgins is a freshman outfielder for the Roadrunner baseball team that currently finds themselves at 22-12 and second place in the NWAACC South Region.

Higgins had a somewhat unconventional path to LBCC. "I was in California and looking for somewhere to play," Higgins said, "I was doing research online and found out that Oregon community colleges had low tuition, and I saw the success that LB baseball has had, so I got on the phone with coach (Greg) Hawk and came to Albany."

"I knew he could play, and I want ball players on my team." Coach Hawk said

All athletes have expectations of themselves going into a season, especially athletes going into their first year with a new team. Taylor Higgins has these expectations of himself, "I knew that to pursue and achieve my goals I was going to have to beat some guys out, so I got right to work when I got here."

In 52 at bats this season Higgins has 18 hits, a .404 batting average with 10 runs batted in, not to shabby for a freshman. 

"He has great batting numbers, which has come from more plate appearances as the season has progressed," said Hawk.

Normally baseball players come to LBCC to play for two-years, but recently tragedy struck the LBCC baseball program. Due to recent budget problems the decision came down to cut the colleges baseball program. With this being Higgins first year at LB it was a tough pill to swallow knowing that he won't be able to play the two-years he came to LB to play. "I am heart broken, completely disappointed in the decision that has been made," Higgins said.

"I expected to play two-years here, and now its gone," Higgins voices his frustration.

"Coach Hawk had been great for us first-year players, calling around to get our names out there to other programs so we can continue to play." Said Higgins

The LB baseball club has been having great success this season. Knowing that this season is the baseball programs "swan song" has provided great motivation for the team to do something great. "It is the stuff movies are made of, you know the concept of the last season being the best season" Higgins said.

The LB baseball team still has two more weeks of games as they get ready for the playoffs. But Higgins is already thanking his teammates and coaches during his time at LB. "I want to say thank you to my coaches for the opportunity I have been given and the memories I have made, but most of all thank you to coach Hawk who gave me a chance."


                                                                             At A Glance
                                                              Taylor Higgins Freshman outfielder #9
                                                                          Player Profile here

LB vs Mt. Hood pictures

Freshman pitcher #8 Jordan Farley fires a pitch

in the first inning of game 1 against Mt. Hood CC

#27 Brady Thomas greets #4 Reese Merriman 

after the bottom of the second inning against

Mt. Hood CC

#6 Logan Henry is greeted by teammates durring the Roadrunners 

first game against Mt. Hood CC

Roadrunners #10 James Leach and #23 Brandon Farley greet 

#7 Derek Cartwright durring game 1of 2 vs Mt. Hood CC

Profile Pictures

                                         Linn Benton student Willy McLaughlin reading notes on
                                         his computer at the Benton Center in Corvallis

Linn Benton student Willy McLaughlin at the Benton Center

Earth Day photos

A group of LBCC students visiting sustainability booths 

at the LBCC courtyard for the Earth Day fair

LBCC instructor Denis Green awaiting to inform students 

about different energy sources at the LBCC Earth Day

sustainability fair

LBCC instructor Denis Green informs a student about 

the importance of solar panels at the LBCC Earth Day 

sustainability fair

Roadrunners conquer the Titans in a double-header

 
    The Roadrunners before Game 1 against Lane CC on April 9th 2013

The LBCC Roadrunners were victorious in both games Tuesday, on a gloomy cold day in Albany in front of their home crowd against the Titans from Lane CC. The Roadrunners took the first game by a score of 3-1, and the second game with a shutout score of 3-0.The Roadrunners entered the two game series on the heels of a two game winning streak, by the days end the streak is at four games, with an overall record of 11-5.

The Roadrunners are currently 13-5, 5-1 in the south region of the NWAACC, and currently 9-1 in the last 10 games. The Roadrunners next game is at South West Oregon CC on April 11th.

The first game saw Austin Marsh start on the mound for the Roadrunners. Marsh went 5 2/3 innings giving up one run and five hits, while striking out three Titan batters. Joel Shippy came onto the mound with two outs in the sixth with the bases loaded. Shippy got out of the jam and pitch for no hits during the remaining 3 1/3 innings.

"The team really did a great job of backing me up on both defense and offense," Marsh said, "Making the plays we needed to win."

The defense was their usually fundamentally sound selves, communicating, and hustling to make plays to get the needed outs. This caused both the pitchers in game one to perform with ease, knowing the defense was behind them.

Austin Hamilton lead the offensive attack in game one, going 2-4 hitting a double and a triple, as well as scoring a run. Jacob Herklotz and Jordan Farley each chipped in with a hit, while Farley and Logan Henry each scored one run.

"We came out with good energy today," said coach Hawk, "We need to come out with the same energy for game 2."


Transitioning to game two coach Hawk said, "We are right where we want to be, we have Austin Woodward, our ace, starting game two."

Woodward went 6 innings, giving up 7 hits and 0 runs while fanning 5 Titan batters. Shippy again came on the mound in relief in game two for 1 inning. Shippy gave up no hits and walked one batter.

The Roadrunner offense exploded for eight hits in the game Derek Cartwright led the team with two hits, while six batters tied with one hit. Logan Henry scored two runs for the Roadrunners, and Taylor Higgins added another run.

The Roadrunners are certainly on a roll. The team is playing with a high level of confidence, which is needed when heading into a road series. 



                                                               At A Glance
Next game: Away at SW Oregon CC on April 11
Redord: 11-5 overall, 5-1 in conference region
Scores: vs. Lane CC, 3-1, 3-0
Team and Conference info: NWAACC website and team website

Roadrunners v Titans pics

                                         The Roadrunners together for the National Anthem
                                          before game 1

                                         Starting pitcher Austin Marsh fires the opening pitch
                                         during game 1 vs Lane CC

                                         Jacob Herklotz watches on from the dugout while his teammate 
                                          gets ready at the plate during game 1

                                     

                                        Teammates Josh Hanson and Reese Merriman celebrate 
                                        another scoreless inning during game 1