Canterbury baseball wins IMG National Classic with sixth-inning rally vs. John Caroll

The Canterbury School baseball team was down but never out this week at the IMG National Classic.

With its pitching staff depleted, senior Bryce Einstein tossed a complete game and Aaron Gebig drove in two runs during a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Fort Pierce John Carroll on Thursday in the tournament championship game in Bradenton.  

"We battled and didn't give up," Canterbury coach Frank Turco said. "Sometimes it looked bleak."

Heading into Thursday's rematch of last season's Class 3A state semifinal, the question was whether Canterbury (11-1) would have enough pitching to finish its run after senior William Shea, the tournament MVP, kept the Cougars in the game long enough against Palmetto in the last game of pool play Wednesday for the offense to turn in a five-run sixth in a 5-1 win.

Einstein, a Lipscomb recruit, answered the call, giving up seven hits and just one run against John Carrolll. Gebig had two hits during a three-run sixth.

Santino Cervone, who pitched in relief in two games and had five hits during the week, rounded out the all-tournament team for the three-time defending state champs, who also beat Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep Country Day and Tallahassee Leon in pool play. 

Will Cialone had five RBI and three runs scored in the tournament.

Follow News-Press sports writer Adam Regan on Twitter: @NP_AdamRegan