Starting pitcher Brady Beeman threw 6 solid innings for the JV Baseball Dons, allowing zero runs while striking out 5, to lead the Dons to a 2-0 victory over the Piedmont High School JV Highlanders on Tuesday in Lafayette.

The Dons started off the scoring in the bottom of the second inning, when Landon Page walked and Grant Matter ripped a double to the right-center field gap to put runners on second and third with one out.  After a close play at the plate for the second out of the inning, Jonny Rubin singled to left field to score Matter and the Dons took a 1-0 lead.  

The Dons added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.  With one out, Jonny Rubin walked and advanced to second on a grounder to the right side of the infield by Isaiah Castillo, putting Rubin in scoring position.  With two out, Will Feinstein singled over the second baseman’s head to score Rubin, and the Dons took a 2-0 lead going into the final inning. 

That’s all starting pitcher Brady Beeman needed to secure the victory.  The left hander kept the Highlanders off balance all day, effectively changing speeds as Piedmont (who had averaged 8 runs a game coming into their meeting with the Dons) couldn’t get anything going.  Beeman went 6 innings for the Dons, giving up zero runs and scattering 7 hits while striking out 5 Highlanders.  Will Feinstein pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn his first save of the year. 

Leadoff hitter Jonny Rubin lead the Dons offense against Piedmont, going 2-2 at the plate with 1 Run, 1 RBI, and 2 Walks.  Rubin managed to get on base on all four of his plate appearances. 

Brady Beeman has lead an effective pitching staff for the JV Dons so far this year.  This victory marked the JV Dons’ fifth game (out of six total) where the margin of victory was two runs or less, due in large part to the Dons solid pitching and keeping the team within striking distance in the later innings.  In addition to Beeman, Will Feinstein, Mateo Valenzuela, Jackson Garbo, Isaiah Castillo and Grant Matter round out the JV Dons impressive pitching staff.      

The Dons (2-3-1) will make the arduous trip to Orinda to face their cross-town rivals the Miramonte Matadors on Thursday, March 12.