BLUEFIELD, Va. - Junior Marty Popham tossed another gem Saturday; however No. 16 Union College only managed to pick a split of the Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader at Bluefield (Va.) College.

Union won the opener 4-1 while Bluefield took the second game by a count of 5-1.

Union is now 23-6 overall and 6-2 in conference play, while Bluefield improved to 15-6 overall and 2-4 in the AAC.

Popham (Louisville, Ky.) pieced together another 11-strikeouts, complete-game victory Saturday as Union recorded a 4-1 decision in the opener.

It marked the fourth complete game for the right-hander and the third time he fanned 11 in a game. Popham is now 8-0 on the season with a 1.27 earned-run average and 66 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings of work.

Bluefield outhit Union 8-5, but the visitors were able to make the most of their opportunities.

Union jumped out the early advantage, scoring a run in each the first and second innings. Bluefield cut the margin in half with a run in the fifth, but Union scored runs in the eighth and ninth innings to seal the 4-1 victory.

Matt Brady (Louisville, Ky.) and Joe Grinstead (Bowling Green, Ky.) each had a RBI for Union. The other two Bulldog runs were scored on a double play and a throwing error.

In the finale, Union struggled to mount much of an offensive attack as Bluefield picked up the 5-1 win.

Union returns to action Monday when it plays host to NCAA Division III Spalding (Ky.) University at 2:30 p.m.