MONTGOMERY, Ala.--Nick Utley hit two home runs to lead second seeded Lee University to a 4-2 win over seventh seeded Shorter in the opening game of the Southern States Athletic Conference baseball tournament. 
Shorter starter Cliff Flagello (8-5) held Lee scoreless until Utley led off the fifth inning with his ninth home run of the season.  Only three pitches later Micahel Valadez hit his second home run of the season.  Lee was not through with the home runs in the inning as after one out Andrew Shaver hit a home run to the deepest part of the park to give the Flames three for the inning.  It was Shaver's seventh round tripper of the season.  Flagello went the distance in the game throwing over 120 pitches.
 
Daniel Howard (5-1) kept the Shorter hitters off stride most of the game only allowing two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  In fact, he did not allow a hit until a two-out double by Jay Wellen in the bottom of the fourth.
 
Just as Shorter thought they were back in the game, Utley came up once again to lead off the sixth inning.  He then deposited the first pitch he saw over the left centerfield fence, almost the same spot he hit his first home run.  That gave Lee a 4-2 lead, with all the runs for Lee coming on solo home runs. That would be all Lee would need as Shorter was held scoreless the rest of the way.
 
Matt Montgomery entered the game for Howard in the bottom of the ninth inning and retired the Shorter batters in order to preserve the win.
 
Lee (43-10) will now move into the second round where they will play the winner of the Berry and Southern Poly game tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m.  Shorter (28-27) will drop into the loser and will play the loser of the Berry/Southern Poly game tomorrow in the 10 a.m. game.