URBANA, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons used a pair of three run innings on Sunday afternoon to defeat Urbana in the Blue Knight Invitational Tournament, but lost in the second half of their twin bill, dropping a 6-5 decision to Grand Valley State (Mich.) in the seventh inning of game two (Gm-1 | Gm-2).

Notre Dame (3-13) finished second in the four team tournament, behind Grand Valley State, but finished ahead of both Malone and Urbana.

The Falcons took an early lead in game one against the Blue Knights by scoring a trio of runs in the bottom of the third inning. #Kelli Lennox# started the inning with a base hit, and then moved to third after #Nicole Spehar# reached on an errant throw, which set up a three-run homer from #Charisse Colston#. The three-run shot was Colston's second of the tournament, and her third of the season.

Urbana scored their lone run in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single from Tieana Steele, before the Falcons sealed the deal with three more runs in the fifth inning. Colston started the inning with a double, marking her third hit of the contest. #Mallory Harder# smashed a single to center field a few moments later to score Colston, before #Christine Kasidonis# and #Steph Glueck# brought in the final two runs on sacrifice fly outs.

In the second game, Notre Dame hung with a red hot Grand Valley State team, which brought an eight game winning streak into the contest. The Falcons were tied at 5-5, in the bottom of the seventh inning when Grand Valley State manufactured the game's winning run.

The leadoff batter, Kayleigh Bertram reached on a base hit, and was replaced on the bases by Jackie Teutsch. Teutsch moved to third on Katie Martin's single to right field. On the play, Martin raced for second base, and Colston's throw from right field toward second base skipped past the bag and went into left field, allowing Teutsch to score the game winning run.

#Kim Lennox# (1-0) went the distance for Notre Dame against Urbana, tossing seven strong innings and allowed just an unearned run on four hits to score the victory. Urbana's Tami Lasley (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over five and a third.

The Falcons will take the field again on Saturday, March 26, when they begin their quest for a third consecutive American Mideast Conference Championship, as they open up conference play with a double header against Cedarville. They first pitch in game one at Cedarville is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

ALL TOURNEY PICKS: Colston and Glueck both earned spots on the all-tournament team.  Colston was one of three outfielders selected to the 10 member all-tournament team, while Glueck made it as a utility player.