<p>HOOVER, Ala. &mdash; Justin Bench hit a solo home run to lead off Mississippi’s four-run third inning and the Rebels led the rest of the way in their 7-4 win over Auburn on Tuesday night in the single-elimination first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. </p>
<p>Fifth-seeded Ole Miss (39-17) plays No. 4 seed Vanderbilt in the second round on Wednesday. </p>
<p>Doug Nikhazy allowed four hits and two runs while striking out seven over six innings for the Rebels. </p>
<p>Bench homered to left field to break a 1-1 tie, Peyton Chatagnier added a two-run single and TJ McCants had a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the third to five Ole Miss the lead for good. </p>
<p>Garrett Farquhar hit an RBI single for No. 12 seed Auburn (26-27) in the top of the fifth and then drove in Bryson Ware with a double before scoring on single by Ryan Bliss in the seventh to trim the deficit to 5-4. </p>
<p>Hayden Dunhurst answered with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to cap the scoring. </p>