The Idaho Falls Bandits got hot late and won their opening game of the American Legion World Series, defeating North Dakota 7-3 on Thursday in Shelby, North Carolina.

The teams were tied 0-0 through three innings before North Dakota scored one run in the top of the fourth. The Bandits answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, then tacked on three in the fifth and two in the sixth.

Randon Hostert was one of three Bandits with two hits. His two-run home run in the sixth gave Idaho Falls a 7-1 lead.

Caden Christensen got the win on the mound, throwing 5 1/3 innings. He gave up one earned run on three hits, with four strikeouts and no walks.

The Bandits (57-6-1) continue pool play Saturday against Massachusetts. The game starts at 11 a.m. MDT and can be watched live on ESPNU and ESPN3.

IDAHO FALLS 7, NORTH DAKOTA 3

North Dakota 000 100 2 — 3 4 4

Idaho Falls 000 232 x — 7 9 0

North Dakota — LP: Anderson. 2B: Hage.

Idaho Falls — WP: Christensen. HR: Hostert.