BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Former Union College pitcher Marty Popham continues to find success on the mound as he has been tabbed to represent the American League in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game Tuesday.

"I've worked hard this season and had some success," Popham said of being named to the all-star squad. "It's an honor to be picked out of hundreds of guys in this league, so I must be dong something right."

The game is being held in University Park, Penn., at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the home of the State College Spikes. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Popham, who is in his first full season as a professional, has helped the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Class A Short Season affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) to a 36-21 record, putting them in first place of the Pinckney Division.

On the season, the Louisville, Ky. native is 5-1 with a 2.59 earned-run average. In addition, Popham has struck out 62 batters and walked only eight in 59 innings of work. Opponents are only batting .258 against him as well.

"I fixed a lot of things in my mechanics during extended spring training," Popham said. "I kept working on delivery, and I've been constant in zone and challenging the hitters. I've been giving up some hits but have been able to control it and get out of some jams."

Earlier this season, Popham collected New York-Penn League Pitcher of the Week honors after tossing seven innings of no-hit baseball while fanning a season-high nine batters.

"It was awesome to do that at this level, at any level," he said of no-hit outing. "I think threw something like 82 pitches, and only 17 were balls. I really had it going that day."

Popham was drafted by the Indians in the 20th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

In his final season at Union, Popham helped the Bulldogs get to the 2008 NAIA World Series as he led the NAIA in wins with a 17-1 overall record. The right-hander posted a 2.27 earned-run average and set seven single-season records. The marks Popham set were for wins (17), games started (18), complete games (12), shutouts (3), innings pitched (123.0), strikeouts (133) and winning percentage (.944 with a 17-1 record).

In addition to the single-season records, Popham also holds the career marks for shutouts (4)and winning percentage (.852 with a 23-4 record).

Photo courtesy of MVProduction Staff.