Heat Sweep Bandits Behind Pitching, Late Rally in Perth Doubleheader

PERTH, Australia  — The Perth Heat rode strong pitching performances in both games and a late comeback in the nightcap to sweep a doubleheader from the Brisbane Bandits on Saturday at NSR Hire Ballpark, winning 3-2 in the opener before pulling out a 6-5 victory in 10 innings.

Brisbane struck first in Game 1 when Robbie Perkins lined a two-out, two-run single in the first inning to score Max Durrington and Rixon Wingrove. The Bandits totaled seven hits but failed to add on, leaving nine runners on base and going 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

Perth answered in the third. Alex Hall singled in a run and Leonardo Pineda followed with a two-run double to put the Heat ahead for good. Matt Lozovoy (1-2) earned the win by throwing four scoreless innings of relief, allowing three hits and striking out four. Starter Warwick Saupold gave up two runs, one earned, over three innings.

Brisbane starter Jon Kennedy (2-2) was steady despite the loss, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out five.

The nightcap again saw Brisbane build an early lead. Dermot Fritsch hit a two-run homer in the second inning and the Bandits added three more runs in the sixth to go ahead 5-3. Brisbane drew 10 walks but stranded 13 runners and finished 2 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Connor MacDonald started for Brisbane and allowed three runs on 11 hits over four innings. The Bandits’ bullpen kept the Heat in check through the middle innings, highlighted by two scoreless innings from Brandon Herbold, before Perth broke through late.

The Heat tied the game with two runs in the seventh and won it in the 10th. Kristian Haeusler (1-0) shut down Brisbane in relief, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and no walks after Kieren Hall worked 5 1/3 innings as the starter. Sam Holland (1-2) took the loss after allowing the winning run in the 10th.

The sweep lifted Perth to 9-13, while Brisbane moved to 10-13, narrowing the standings in the ABL and dropping to third place as they will face off with the first-place Sydney Blue Sox for a Boxing Day weekend series.