RoadRunners Earn All-Conference

After a successful season on the field, players from the Linn-Benton baseball team received awards from NWAC for their exceptional play on the field. Each year the NWAC gives out their all region and Gold Glove teams.

This season four RoadRunners were nominated for the all region teams.

Emilio Alcantar and Jacob Musial were selected to the first team in the region. Alcantar was selected as one of the outfielders and Musial as the Designated Hitter.

For the season Alcantar led the RoadRunners in batting average at .327. He totaled eight RBIs for the year and five extra base hits.

Musial played both in the field and pitched for the RoadRunners this season. For the season Musial had a batting average of .279, with 2 home runs, and 20 RBIs. On the mound he had a record of 5-5 with a 3.81 ERA.

“It was an honor to get picked for first team outfielder in our conference, especially with all the other talented outfielders we had in conference this year,” said Alcantar. “I have to give credit to my teammates for pushing me everyday in practice and the core group of outfielders we had bringing the best out of me everyday on the ball field, so I'm grateful for them.”

Linn-Benton had two players awarded to second team all-conference as well; third baseman Trevin Stephens and Utility player Austin Kelly.

Stephens, a third baseman, hit .273 for the season with 20 RBIs. He also hit a walk-off homerun is Linn-Benton’s last home series which helped the RoadRunners clinch a spot in the NWAC playoffs.

Kelly starred for LB both in the field, at first base, and on the mound as a starting pitcher. For the season he had a batting average of .268 and led the team with 25 RBIs. On the mound he boasted a 3-6 record with a 3.76 ERA and struck out 54 batters.

“The award means a lot to me,” said Stephens. “I’m just grateful that I had the opportunity to play baseball this year and be awarded second team.”

The nominations for the RoadRunners did not stop at first and second team. Catcher Tyger Liner and center fielder Henry Rondeau were selected for the Gold Glove team. Receiving a Golf Glove means you were the best defensive player at that position.

The RoadRunners not only succeeded as a whole this season with qualifying for the NWAC tournament, but having four players selected to all conference shows the type of players on the LB team.  

At a Glance:

Emilio Alcantar and Jacob Musial were awarded first team all-conference for the South Region of NWAC.

Alcantar played primarily in the outfield for the RoadRunners this season, his stats are availble on the NWAC website.

Musial was awarded first team as a designated hitter. You can view his season statistics here.

Trevin Stephens and Austin Kelly were awarded second team all-conference for the south region of NWAC.

In the first season back for LB baseball, having four players awarded to the all-conference team is a fantastic achievement not only for the players, but for the program as well. 

The Best Beer in Oregon

The Best Beer in Oregon:

Walking into a bar in Oregon is just as normal as in every other state. You walk in, approach the bar tender, exchange friendly pleasantries and then he pops the question.

“What can I get you to drink?”

That’s when it hits you. You’re lost, confused, overwhelmed. As you scan the never-ending row of taps on display the question pops into your head, ‘If I can only pick one of these beers, which would it be?’

The craft beer scene in Oregon has exploded in the past 10 years. With some of the best beers in the world made right in our back yard it is almost impossible to choose what the best beer made in Oregon is.

With the abundance of unique hops to match some of the great brewer minds, Oregon is at the front of the craft brewery scene. With the nation wide success of Deschutes, Widmer Brothers, and Rogue,

beer advocates are flocking from all over the country to try some of the best beer in the nation.

To fully understand and appreciate different kinds of beer it takes time and acquired taste. Many first time craft beer drinkers don’t understand their first drink. But with time you can finally understand the difference between an IPA and a porter, IBU’s, and all the other confusing ‘beer lingo’ that goes into enjoying a craft beer.

Jeff Clawson is head of brew house operations at Oregon State University in the school of fermentation sciences. He gives student’s hands on experience in brewing beer and all the complicated steps including hop research, foam research, and fermentation.

Clawson and his students have worked together with some of biggest breweries in Oregon including Widmer Brothers and Bridgeport. When Bridgeport released their Trilogy series the fermentation students at OSU were involved. The Trilogy 3 beer, known as Brewers Class, was created in collaboration with OSU students in an attempt to look to the future of brewing in Oregon.

Clawson is happy to see the local breweries have so much success lately. He enjoys drinking Block 15, Flat Tail, and Calapooia.

Being a teacher of fermentation science the way Clawson looks at and drinks is a beer is important to take into consideration.

“Quality for me is the biggest factor I look at when I buy a beer,” said Clawson. “I want a good consistent quality beer.”

What Clawson means by this is when he drinks he beer he is always looking for it to taste and look the same as the last time he had one. He mentioned HUB, Double Mountain, and Good Life as local breweries that he thinks are doing an exceptional job at this.

Taking into account that it important to look for quality and consistency, the next question to answer is how in the world do I pick from all of these beers? It seems like every time you go to the store there is a new beer to try, and that is not by accident.

Brewmasters love the challenge of coming up with something new and innovative. Sure all of the big name breweries have beers that they produce year round, but the challenge is coming up with something for the here and now. People always want to try something new and nothing is better than a new beer.

Deschutes Brewery takes a unique approach towards determining what type and when to brew a new beer. They work side by side with their brewpubs to determine what to brew.

“With our pubs we allow brewers to brew a beer of their choice when we have space in the schedule. A lot of our brewers use this for an opportunity to brew a beer annually,” said Deschutes Head Brewmaster Brian Faivre. “Other brewers will use this as an opportunity to try something “new”. “New” all depends on the brewer, their current mindset and mood.”

Giving brewers at individual pubs has been a very successful strategy for Deschutes, but this is not they only way they come up with new ideas. When developing a big break through idea they try to work more internally.

“From a more strategic perspective, the R&D group, which includes myself, our pub Assistant Brewmasters, our President and Founder, get together weekly for brainstorming ideas. This leads to test brews at our pubs, which we taste throughout the process and make adjustments until we achieve what we had envisioned,” said Faivre.

Faivre and the brewers at Deschutes have come up with some of the most innovative and best tasting beers not only in Oregon, but also in the entire country. Picking his favorite is extremely hard and something that is often discussed amongst the employees of Deschutes.

“Your answer is going to depend on the brewer, their current mood and most likely the weather. For me, this is currently our Twilight Summer Ale, perfect for our current weather and my mood,” said Faivre.

With the information from Faivre and Clawson choosing a beer can be somewhat simplified. However, ultimately if you enjoy a beer that decision comes down to you. With that being said, with the help of others and my own experiences these are the best five beers made in Oregon.

1.     The Abyss-

Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.

The Abyss is the crown jewel from the unprecedented Bend brewery. Described on its own label as, “It’s dark. It’s deep. It’s mysterious. This imperial stout has immeasurable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich, complex profile. The flavor of this special brew draws you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the journey.” Upon the first sip there is no denying this is one of the best beers out there. The complex flavors and smells keep you coming back.

2.     RPM IPA-

Boneyard, Bend, Ore.

Boneyard may be a relatively unknown brewery on this list due to the fact that they don’t bottle. RPM is packed with flavor, but the hop profile is not to over powering. It is easily drinkable and will leave you wanting another. Beer Advocate, an online forum about beers rates this as the second best IPA produced by Boneyard with the first being Hop Venom. However, to the casual beer drinker Hop Venom could scare them away, with the double IPA being loaded with hops and heightened alcohol by volume. RPM could be considered the little brother, but in this case he is the favorite child.

3.     Sang Noir

Cascade Brewing, Portland, Ore.

This is the mother of all sour beers in Oregon. Cascade is quickly becoming one of the premier breweries in Oregon due to their delicious barrel aged beers. Sours beers have almost a cult following and upon first appearance and more importantly smell many people back away. However, if you can muster up the courage to try one of these beers Sang Noir is the one. Released only on a limited schedule Sang Noir is hard to get your hands on, but if you have the opportunity you won’t be disappointed.

4.     Fuss Off

Rogue Brewery, Newport, Ore.

This is another beer that is extremely hard to get your hand on. A maple Doppleback that is aged in Dead Guy Whiskey barrels, Fuss Off is only found at Rogue breweries and even then you need some luck. This is a complex beer with tons of flavor and an extremely smooth finish. Dark brown in color the Fuss Off appears more of a challenge to drink then anything else, but after the first sip you might not set it down again.

5.     Fresh Squeezed IPA

Deschutes Brewery, Bend Ore.

“This mouthwatering, delicious I.P.A. gets its flavor from a heavy helping of Citra and mosaic hops.” Once again the brew masters at Deschutes have delivered one of the better IPA’s on the market. Fresh Squeezed has everything an IPA lover wants and needs in a beer. It’s crisp, it’s refreshing, and it has a great color. Released last summer, Fresh Squeezed was so popular that Deschutes decided it needed to be available year round, and for that we thank them.

At a Glance:

Oregon craft beer has exploded in recent and with some of the worlds best hops being grown in region breweries are taking advantage and developing some of the best beers in the country.

Big name breweries such as Deschutes, Widmer Brothers, and Rogue have dominated the Oregon beer scene, but littler breweries such as Boneyard and Cascade Brewing are whipping up some of the best beers you will ever taste.

I have ranked what I believe to be the best five Oregon made beers. Making the list was tough, but with help from some reliable resources and just outright beer lovers I narrowed down the list.

So don't be afraid to try something new and go grab a cold Oregon made beer. 

Jeff Clawson was a big help in writing this article and loves talking to students and others about beer. 

 The Brew Masters at Deschutes are extremely passionate about their job and if you ever get the opportunity to talk to them on a tour of the brewery or elsewhere ask questions. Craft beer can be 

Cole Miller Profile

As a kid, all Cole Miller wanted to do was play sports. During any free time he had you could find him on a field in his hometown of McMinnville. And when he realized that baseball was the sport for him, he knew in his heart that it is what he was meant to play.

“Growing up, I played every sport imaginable. I was exceedingly active and enjoyed every sport. I ultimately chose baseball because I excelled at the sport both on the field and at the plate.”

This passion for sports brought Miller to Linn-Benton where he pitches for the RoadRunner baseball team. Miller has been one of the staples in the pitching rotation in the RoadRunner's first season back on the baseball diamond. However, Miller has not always attended LB.

After a successful high school career, Miller knew he was talented enough to continue playing in college. After high school, Miller accepted an offer to play at Lassen Community College in Susanville, Calif. His time in Northern California taught him what it means to be a college baseball player, since he experienced a school that was dedicated to baseball.

“I had a blast down there; the guys, the team, the tradition and the atmosphere were amazing.”

However, Miller’s time at Lassen CC ran out when he unexpectedly came back to Oregon. He knew he wanted to continue playing baseball and contacted Oregon State.

“I initially was talking to Oregon State about walking on, but there were some complications so I was told to play a year at LB.”

Although LB was not his original destination, Miller has found a home on the RoadRunner team.

“The thing I like most about the program is the guys. We all get along well and have good chemistry.”

Miller knows the importance of leadership, especially on such a young team.

“Being a sophomore, I think I bring a lot of experience and savvy to the team. Although I don't say much, I shoot to be a leader on and off the field.”

Just like the rest of his teammates, Miller hopes he can help LB qualify for the NWAC playoffs. After the first half of the season Miller has been a consistent pitcher out of the bullpen and has even started some games. For the season he is 2-0 with a 3.41 ERA. He has 26 strikeouts in 29 innings.

At a glance:

Cole Miller grew up in McMinville, Ore. and is now pitching at LBCC for the baseball team.

Miller has been superb this season for the RoadRunners and you can look at his stats on the NWAC website.

The RoadRunners regular season is now over, they finished with a 20-22 record, very respectable for a first year program. 

Miller will look to continue his baseball career next season, but has not made any commitments to a school. 

"To Pimp a Butterfly" Review

For the past three years the hip-hop world has been patiently waiting. Waiting for the return of a certain Compton MC that flipped hip-hop on its head in 2012 with the release of “good kid, m.A.A.D city."

That man is Kendrick Lamar, and his second major studio album is more than just music, it’s a deep understanding on the meaning of what it means to be African American in the United States.

On March 15, 2015, Lamar released his much-anticipated album “To Pimp a Butterfly.” This album shows a different side of Kendrick. Soulful jazz, funk, spoken word, and poetry flood through the speakers and make you wonder, can this even be considered rap?

"To Pimp a Butterfly" Cover

Lamar brought on a talented supporting cast to help with his visionary creation for this album. Pianist Robert Glasper, producer and saxophone wizard Terrace Martin, and bassist Thundercat bring a certain feel and liveliness to the album that is unmatched in recent hip-hop. Lamar himself even influences his voice and “flow” in ways we haven’t seen from him. It brings the album character and shows this man is more than just the best rapper alive; he’s an artist and a visionary.

For the past three years K-Dot has made it clear, he’s not just making music with “To Pimp a Butterfly” he’s depicting what it means to be alive.

The visionary process is commendable, as Lamar has been through a lot since the release of his chart-busting first album. He’s toured the country and the world and nothing affected him more than his visit to Africa.  He shows this through his lyrics that come across so raw and powerful it takes multiple listens to truly understand.

In an exclusive interview with MTV, Lamar talks about the troubles he’s experienced balancing his superstar life and the inner kid from Compton that he truly is.

He reveals that he struggled heavily with depression and even suicidal thoughts throughout the making of this album. The song “u” serves as a tell all of what he’s been experiencing in his own personal life.

“Nothing was as vulnerable as that record, it's even pulling from those experiences coming up in Compton. It’s pulling with the experiences of going through change and accepting change. That’s the hardest thing for a man to do, accepting change. When I was on that tour bus and things was happening back in my city or within my family that I can’t do [anything] about, it’s out my control and I can only put it in god's hands, I couldn’t understand that. And that can draw a thin line between having your sanity and you losing it and that’s how an artist can deteriorate if you don’t catch yourself,” said Lamar.

Throughout the album he is toying with the idea of how so many people can idolize him, yet personally he isn’t happy. From listening to the album, the listener gets the sense that perhaps this is what’s wrong within communities across America.

“How can I be a voice to all these people around the world, but I can’t connect with the people that are closest to me,” ponders Lamar.

The hit single “i,” which was released months before the album and won Grammy’s for best rap 

Kendrick Lamar

performance and best rap song, served a catchy free-loving track for Lamar’s fans prior to the album's release. However, it’s not until the back end of the album that we experience an altered live version of the hit single. Instead of the catchy track that thousands blasted out of their speakers last summer, it almost serves as a reminder that no matter what you’re experiencing loving your inner being is the most important thing a man can do.

In a fiery interview this past year Lamar questions the deaths of Traevon Martin and Mike Brown. Kendrick proclaims that perhaps it was Brown’s fault he was murdered due to the fact that Lamar feels the African American community must first respect itself before the police will.

Craig Jenkins of Pitchfork writes in his review, “this is an album about tiny quality of life improvements to be made in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It might not be the message we want in a year where systemic police and judicial inequality have cost many the ultimate price, but that doesn’t bankrupt it of value.”

The album concludes with an “interview” with the late Tupac Shakur in which Lamar questions his idol on the ideas of dealing with success and fame while staying true to one's roots. Lamar ties the whole album together with an epic telling of the story of a young caterpillar turning into a complex and beautiful butterfly, something that is done so smoothly and soulfully it requires multiple listens to get through.

Overall the album is not what most fans expected from Kendrick Lamar, but if you truly listen to message he conveys, the timing is perfect. He’s a strong advocate that every day you must try to improve your life, even if it is the simplest thing you could do.

 “To Pimp a Butterfly” is more than just music; it is a novel that depicts man's struggle with the ever-changing world.  At times it makes you feel sorrow and makes you question what your purpose in this world truly is. That is Lamar wanted, that was why he gave us this music.

At a Glance:
Artist and Featured artists: Kendrick Lamar, George Clinton, Thundercat, Bilal, Anna Wise, James Fauntleroy, Ronald Isley, Rapsody, Snoop Dogg
Release Date: March 15, 2015
Genre: Rap, Hip-Hop
Album Length: 78:51
Label: Top Dawg, Aftermath, Interscope
The album is available online and in store for purchase.
Rating: 4/5 Stars