Byron Armstrong hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning and the Perth Heat held on to beat the Brisbane Bandits 3-2 on Thursday night at NSR Hire Ballpark.

The Brisbane Bandits return to the road for a pivotal Round 8 matchup, opening a four-game series against the Perth Heat beginning Thursday night at NSR Hire Ballpark in Perth. With only three rounds remaining in the Australian Baseball League regular season, both clubs enter the series needing wins as the race for postseason positioning tightens.

Tucker Smith struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings and the Perth Heat used a pair of multi-run frames to beat the Brisbane Bandits 6–2 on Thursday night at NSR Hire Ballpark.

The Brisbane Bandits (4-4) walk off the Perth Heat (2-5) 10-9, courtesy of Geroge Callil, in a back-and-forth slugfest Friday at Viticon Stadium.

The Brisbane Bandits return home looking to stabilize after a 3-4 record in their first seven games, marked by less-than-ideal run production and a pitching staff still finding its rhythm. Standing in their way is the Perth Heat, who are 2-4, that has shown flashes of offensive punch and bring several players into the series on impressive streaks. Both clubs are trying to gain early-season footing as they attempt to climb atop the ABL standings.