But he still got Newark to the finish line.

Called on in relief, the 6-foot-7 right-hander worked out of ticklish situations in both the sixth and seventh innings for the save that preserved the Pilots’ 9-8 victory over Jamestown and a split of the twin bill before 497 fans.

The win improved Newark’s record to 13-12, while the Tarp Skunks (17-11) saw their seven-game winning streak snapped.

If not for Kelly, however, Jamestown, which won the opener 9-8, could very well have claimed its eighth straight victory.

After his RBI triple and an error allowed him to score in the third inning, Jamestown’s Nate Borchardt (19) is greeted by his teammates as he approaches the dugout. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Trailing 9-7 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Tarp Skunks’ Nate Borchardt roped a leadoff double to left-center field and Nolan Smith followed with a single to left to put runners at the corners.

Newark head coach Marcus Smith summoned Kelly from the bullpen and he promptly uncorked a wild pitch to score Borchardt and then walked both Brady Marshall and Branston Lindquist to load the bases. But the Alfred State junior got Eric Weeks to bounce into a fielder’s choice, struck out Matthew Dumas and got Brady McGuire to fly out to keep the Pilots in front 9-8.

In the seventh, it was more drama.

Kelly walked leadoff hitter Jakob Haynes, who moved to second on a groundout by Ben Slanker. Justin Bremner followed with a deep drive to left field that Newark’s Jason Brown tracked down for the second out. As he transferred the ball from his glove to his throwing hand, the ball fell to the ground, but the umpires ruled it a catch and Haynes advanced to third.

That brought Borchardt to the plate as the winning run, but he grounded out, even though he and Jagoda argued that he had fouled the ball off his foot. Another umpires’ conference ensued and Borchardt was called out to end the game.

The Pilots, who led 4-0 after an inning and a half, were led offensively by Liam Wagner with two hits, Parker Zeiser with a double and two RBIs, and Noah Brooks with a run-scoring double.

Grant Ingram (1-1) was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Liam Eshelman.

For the Tarp Skunks, Borchardt smacked a triple and a double and drove in a run; Nolan Smith had three hits, including an RBI double, and Bremner, Weeks and Dumas all drove in a run.

Anthony Derrano (0-2), one of three Jamestown pitchers, took the loss.

NOTES: Slanker was just added to the Tarp Skunks’ roster on Sunday. The outfielder, who will attend Louisville in the fall, drilled a triple and scored in the third inning. … The Tarp Skunks return to action at 6:30 p.m. today when they entertain Auburn on “$2 Night.” Hot dogs, beer and bleacher tickets are $2 apiece.

FIRST GAME

TARP SKUNKS 9, PILOTS 8

Jamestown scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to post the come-from-behind victory.

Dumas, McGuire, Haynes and Brady Marshall all had two hits for the Tarp Skunks, and Smith drove in a pair of runs. Jasean Brown (1-0) was the winning pitcher, working the final 1 1/3 innings.

Nick Digiacomo (triple), Cooper Loyal, Brooks (double, two RBIs) and Jacob Poletto all had two hits for Newark.

Micah Bennett (0-3) suffered the loss in relief of starter Jake O’Connor.

SATURDAY

TARP SKUNKS 16, IRONBACKS 12

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — Jamestown scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to post a wild 16-12 victory over Niagara before 110 fans.

The Tarp Skunks claimed their sixth straight win, but needed almost every one of their 21 hits to come out on top.

Leading the way offensively was Nathan Borchardt with four hits, including two doubles and a triple. Justin Bremner, Blake Herman and Aiden Nolasco had three hits apiece; Nolan Smith, Brady Marshall (two RBIs) and Eric Weeks (double, home run, six RBIs) collected two hits each; and Jakob Haynes drilled a home run.

Winning pitcher Will Taylor (4-0) and Eddie Dolansky combined for 6 1/3 scoreless innings of relief as Jamestown improved to 16-10.

The Ironbacks (3-22) pounded out 13 hits and scored 10 runs in the third inning to take a 12-7 lead, but Taylor and Dolansky allowed just five hits, struck out 11 and issued just one walk the rest of the way. The Tarp Skunks’ offense took care of the rest.

Carter Shine (double, three RBIs), Brock Grainger, Connor Gaiten, Devan Madore and Bryce Bedrosian all had two hits for Niagara. JJ Reynolds (0-1) took the loss.