Six Roadrunners Named to All-Star Conference Team

Six LB Roadrunner baseball players have been named to the NWAACC all-star team. Five players were named on the first team. Those players included:
 shortstop Austin Hamilton
 first basemen Jacob Herklotz
 outfielder Seth Brown
 pitcher Austin Woodward
 catcher Trevor Nix.
 Taylor Higgins was named to the second team all-stars for the outfield. The Roadrunners are currently doing battle against Pierce in Longview, Wash. for the NWAACC playoffs.


                                                          At A Glance
Full Team of All-Star teams: NWAACC website

My Neighborhood

Two Corvallis city workers get to work on the city drainage system
on the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon
while the two elders observe

A pair of sneakers hang from the telephone wire outside my
apartment of 15th St. in Corvallis, Oregon

The clock tower a top the Benton County Courthouse
in Corvallis, Oregon

LBCC Host Diversity Day

It was a blistering sunny May day as LBCC hosted diversity day. The Linn-Benton courtyard was filled with Native American dancer's, information tables from LBCC clubs, and a large number of spectators enjoying the sun and entertainment. The focus of the event was to "Connect Cultures."

During the beginning of the day, the LBCC Gay Straight Alliance performed a mock gay marriage. Four members took part, and was well received by the crowd. The performance and the great reception was a great sign that it was going to be an informative and fun day.

Painted Sky Native American dancers, Chinese dancers, and African drummers graced the courtyard, and put on quite a show for all in attendance. The Painted Sky Native American dancers enjoyed performing and informing the audience of their culture. "This is who we are, and this is what we do, what we believe," said Mary Hager, artistic director for the Painted Sky Native Americans.

The African drummers performed traditional African drum songs. The performers were really animated with their performance, which really drew the attention of the audience that allowed them to engage in the performance.

"We are really proud of the turn out," said Javier Cervantes, director of the Diversity Achievement Center.

"We wanted people to become aware of, and learn about how different cultures live through their traditions." Cervantes said

With the performances of different ethnic, and belief groups, all of the people who made up the audience could agree that the day was a success, as well as a lot of fun

LB baseball vs. Lane CC: Photos

Sophomore outfielder Seth Brown celebrates
an RBI double during game 1 of the Roadrunners
final home game vs Lane CC

Head coach Greg Hawk coaching his final game for the Roadrunners.
Hawk has given most of his adult life to this program and brought
the program to prominence

The Roadrunner baseball team, along with Rocky, huddle around coach Hawk for one
last time at home. The last LBCC baseball home game on May 14, 2003

Sophomore Austin Hamilton gets ready to hit the first pitch of the
game vs Lane CC. Hamilton is the last leadoff batter for the Roadrunner
program

ONPA Journalism Awards Photos

A group of college students and advisors at the LBCC hosted
ONPA awards ceremony on Friday May 10, 2013 

The Commuter staff from left to right, Ronald Borst, Sean Bassinger,
and Marci Sischo enjoying some coffee at the commons cafeteria
before the OPNA awards

The Commuter's copy editor Ted Holliday deciding on
what workshop to go to during the OPNA awards ceremony

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