Ex-Titan Popoff Strikes Out 19 for First Minor League Victory

James Popoff, the former Cal State Fullerton right-hander, picked up his first professional victory in style, striking out 19 in a 5-3 Pittsfield Mets victory over the Batavia Clippers Monday in a Class-A New York-Penn League game.

The strikeouts set a Pittsfield single-game record. Dave Telgheder held the previous mark of 12, which he accomplished against the Auburn Astros in 1989. The league record of 24 belongs to Paul Alspach of the Auburn Mets in 1963.

Popoff had an 0-2 record entering the game. He had 13 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings before Monday’s game.

“Last night was just one of those games you dream about,” Popoff said Tuesday. “I had all my four pitches (fastball, curve, slider and changeup) going for me. But mostly I got them out with fastballs. I knew warming up in the bullpen that my fastball had a little extra life in it.”

Popoff was 13-3 with Cal State Fullerton this season. He helped the Titans reach the College World Series championship game, which they lost to Pepperdine, 3-2.