The opening games of the ABL postseason have been taken out by the away teams, the Melbourne Aces and Sydney Blue Sox recording surprise victories on Thursday night.

In Perth, the defending champion Heat lost an extra-inning affair 8-7 to the second-seeded Melbourne Aces.

Although Perth fought back with four runs in the ninth to force an extra frame, the resilient Melbourne club won it in the 10th on a base hit by ABL RBI leader Elliot Biddle.

In Adelaide, the Blue Sox won on the strength of Craig Anderson’s outstanding pitching performance.

The veteran left hander struck out seven and did not allow an earned run in 6.2 innings of work.

The reliable bullpen duo of Matthew Williams and Dae-Sung Koo pitched the last 2.1 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three to finish off the Bite 5-3.