The Auckland Tuatara have extended their winning streak to four games, with a 6-2 victory over the Sydney Blue Sox at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday night.
Four strong innings from pitcher Kyle Glogoski, and a pair of home runs from Jared Walker and Josh Morgan led Auckland to victory over their division rivals.
Surprisingly, after winning seven previous games and two series this season, this was their first success in a series opener.
The result is their seventh win in eight games and puts them one game behind the Blue Sox at the top of the North East Division of the Australian Baseball League.
Tuatara manager Stephen Mintz was pleased with a great all-round performance.
"Kyle didn't have his best stuff out there tonight, but he found a way to keep us in the lead," said Mintz.
"The guys hit really well - we know the heart of our order, with Morgan and Walker, can be productive and they are locked in at the moment.
"It is a great way to start the series. [Sydney pitcher Alex] Maestri is very good and to be able to better him tonight is big.
"They have another great starter going tomorrow, so we need to find a way to score off him."
Auckland scored their first run of the game in the second inning. The home team added four more in the third, thanks to a two-run double from Morgan - his third of the season - and a two-run homer from Walker.
Sydney cawed their way back into the match, but Morgan smashed his third home run of the season in the sixth inning to put his team up for good.
The Tuatara improve to 8-9 on the season and the two teams will square off in the second game of their series on Friday night.