Semien, Hawkins help Dash tie series

Tommy Thompson was ejected after three innings in Game 2 of the Carolina League semifinals. The Winston-Salem Dash weren't about to let their superlative season end with their manager in the clubhouse.

After homering in the first, Marcus Semien hit a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh as the Dash rallied past Myrtle Beach, 5-3, on Thursday to force a third game inthe best-of-3 series.

"Shoot, we have his back, he has our back," Semien said of Thompson, who guided Winston-Salem to the best record among full-season Minor League teams. "He'll always argue for us; we really appreciate that. He cares so much about us and the game and we care, also. So I'm glad we got him another game."

Semien finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Courtney Hawkins, White Sox's No. 2 prospect, slugged a game-tying home run as the Dash evened the series at 1-1.

The teams meet again Friday in Winston-Salem in a winner-take-all Game 3.

"Man, it's crazy," Semien said. "Stats don't matter now, it's about winning. It's always about winning, but ultimately we need to get things done, get bunts down, play for one run when we need to. That's what we did tonight, so I'm glad we get another one."

Vinny DiFazio gave the Pelicans a short-lived 3-2 lead with a solo homer in the top of the seventh. But Hawkins led off the bottom of the inning with his second homer in as many games. Chris Curley and Dan Wagner followed with singles to set up Semien's go-ahead double to left off Zach Osborne (0-1).

"It was kind of a sinker down and in," said Semien, Chicago's No. 19 prospect. "He went with that pitch when I fouled it off, but they had a no-pitch or something. Then he went away with one and then he came back in and I was ready for it. Luckily, it kind of hit the bag and two runs scored."

How did he feel after delivering one of the Dash's biggest hits of the season?

"Kind of excited inside, but I didn't try and show it too much," Semien said.

Taylor Thompson came on to record the final five outs, but Myrtle Beach didn't make it easy. Brett Nicholas opened the ninth with a single and moved up on a balk before Edwin Garcia drew a two-out walk, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. But Thompson struck out Jeremy Williams for his first postseason save.

Scott Snodgress, a fifth-round pick out of Stanford last year, started for Winston-Salem and allowed three runs -- one earned -- on three hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings in his playoff debut. Kevin Vance (1-0) picked up the win after recording two outs in the eighth.

Pelicans starter Joe Van Meter was charged with two runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 frames. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

In other Carolina League playoff action:
Wilmington 12, Lynchburg 3

Jason Adam held the Hillcats to a pair of runs -- one earned -- on five hits over seven innings and Matt Fields drilled a three-run homer in the third as Wilmington bounced back from a lopsided loss to tie the best-of-3 semifinals series, 1-1.

The Blue Rocks, who totaled a team playoff-record 18 hits, overcame an early deficit with four-run rallies in the fourth and eighth. Brett Eibner and Geulin Beltre drove in two runs apiece in support of Adam, who struck out four.

Tommy La Stella drove in two runs for the Hillcats, who host Game 3 on Friday night. Box score »