By Rachel Zynel | rzynel@mlive.com

SAGINAW -- It might've taken Madison Heights Bishop Foley longer than it expected, but with a late-game rally the Ventures were able to win their fourth straight boys baseball regional title.

Foley defeated Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 8-5, in the regional title game Saturday, despite going hitless until the fifth inning and scoreless until the sixth.

Foley, the top-ranked Division 3 team, will move on to play Flint Powers Catholic (14-17) in the quarterfinals Tuesday at Saginaw Heritage at 2 p.m.

Foley coach Buster Sunde said that while it took a while to get his team's offense going, he had confidence in his lineup.

"They found a way to get it done," Sunde said. "I give all the credit to the kids, it takes a lot of character there. Every once in a while it's (hitting) like that, but we're deep. All 15 kids on the team can swing the bat."

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It was Richard that struck first, putting together three runs in the fifth inning. After two walks, Richard had runners on first and second for DJ Newlin, who hit an RBI single to left field. Steven Timm followed with an RBI single to left field.

However, Richard's offensive threat only worked to motivate Foley. The Ventures came back in the sixth inning cranking out six runs off seven hits.

Nate Grys (2-3) started the rally for Foley, leading off the inning with a single. After a walk to William Malak, Michael Reid (1-3) doubled in an RBI. The Ventures were on the board and just heating up.

Chad Gravlin, David Chung, Michael Murley, Garrett Schilling and Grys all brought in runs, as Foley hit around in the sixth inning, making it 6-3.

Foley's winning pitcher, Garrett Schilling, struck out six batters and gave up only two walks. Schilling said when his team started to make things happen offensively, he found his groove defensively.

"We were down 3-0 at the fifth inning," Schilling said. "I got a little upset on the mound, but then I composed myself and we got out of the inning.

"We went to hitting and we tied the game up and got the lead. It gave me a lot of confidence to go out there and shut them down. Everything just fell into place after that."

Richard pitcher Gunnar Gail pitched a solid game, keeping Foley at bay for most of the game.

"He threw a good game," Richard coach Greg Lenhoff said. "He had them off balance all game. They're (Foley) not used to being down. I think that we had them on the ropes. If we could've added another run or two, I think we might've been able to put them away in the fifth inning.

"They're tough. You give them base runners and they're going to knock them in. They're a quality baseball team, well coached, they do the right things."

Foley added two more runs in the seventh inning with an RBI single from Austin Lukaschewski. After reaching on a single down the third base line, Gravlin scored on a throwing error, brining it to 8-4.

Richard put up one last effort. Thor Gail scored Newlin, to make it 8-5, but Schilling hit his stride, striking out all three outs to end the game.

While Foley is working its way towards its third straight state title, Sunde is still focused on each game as it comes.

"One game at a time," Sunde said. "This is a perfect example right here: they're (Richard) a great team, they're well-coached. A team like that can come up at any given day.

"Gail pitched a great game. You have to find a way to win those games. There are always a few of those games. Hopefully this was the only one."

Bishop Foley defeats Harper Woods, 17-2, in regional semifinals:

Bishop Foley started the day defeating Harper Woods in three innings in the regional semifinals, 17-2.

Foley came with its offense already warmed up, leading 9-0 after two innings.

Harper Woods was able to put together two runs in in the second inning, making in 9-2.

Foley's William Malak doubled in two more runs, and Brad Baldwin singled in two runs for the Ventures in the third inning, bringing it to 17-2.

Gabriel Richard powers past Allen Park Cabrini, 11-7, in regional semifinals:

After Cabrini rushed out to an early 3-1 lead, Gabriel Richard took control of the game to win the regional semifinal, 11-7.

Trailing by two runs, Richard strung five singles together in a row, including a two-run RBI from Jacob McCulloch to take a 5-3 lead.

From there, Richard only added to their lead, putting up two runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth, setting the score at 11-4 heading into the seventh.

Cabrini looked to make a late-game rally, knocking in three more runs. But Richard took charge, ending the surge with strong defense and winning the game 11-7.