HOOVER, Ala. — Ole Miss starter Lance Lynn tied his career high with 12 strikeouts to help lead the Rebels to a 4-1 victory over top-seeded Georgia on Wednesday in the first round of the Southeastern      Conference baseball tournament.

The Rebels (35-22) provided Lynn with all the run support he would need in the top of the first when Cody Overbeck lined a two-run single to left field, giving Ole Miss a quick 2-0 lead against Georgia starter Nick Montgomery (2-2).

Lynn (7-3) took over from there. He retired eight of the first nine batters he faced, four by strikeout. Through the fifth inning he had allowed only one player to reach as far as second base.

The Rebels stretched their lead to 3-0 in the fourth on a controversial home run by Michael Guerrero. The ball appeared to be foul as it flew past the left-field pole but was ruled a home run, prompting a lengthy protest from Georgia coach David Perno.

Georgia (35-20-1) finally got to Lynn in the sixth. Ryan Peisel singled, advanced to second on a walk and then scored on a single to right field by Robbie OBryan, making the score 3-1.

That was all the Bulldogs could manage against Lynn, who gave up four hits in 6 2/3 innings. Scott Bittle replaced Lynn and allowed a walk and two hits over the final 2 1/3 innings to earn his eighth save.