Stanford has not lost a home midweek game since 2014, but the 18th in a row was a tough 4-3 victory over Gonzaga.

Stanford (21-3, 5-1) trailed 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth when freshman Tim Tawa tied the game with his fourth home run of the season. Nico Hoerner put the Cardinal ahead in the seventh with a two-out RBI to score Beau Branton, who had two runs.

Stanford started freshman Austin Weirermiller and the left-hander struggled through two innings and allowed two earned runs. Gonzaga got on the board in the first with consecutive doubles and Weirermiller hit two batters and had a wild pitch.

Former regular in the lineup Daniel Bakst provided three innings of strong relief and allowed one earned run on a shot by Jake Vieth that just cleared the wall to the left of the 400 mark in center.

Submariner Zach Grech got his second win of the season with three perfect innings and struck out the side when he took over in the sixth. Jacob Palisch got the second save of his career.

Tawa's 2-for-4 day in the box was complemented by a great defensive play in center field.

Stanford has won several close week-day games: "I'm really proud of the guys coming off those two emotional games when we had to really concentrate for nine innings. Oregon really took it to us and as I mentioned I thought it was a playoff atmosphere. To come out here and get challenged by a good Gonzaga team that we know them, the better team the better they play. They were going to give us their best. An old teammate of mine (Mark Machtolf) is the head coach over there and I know he was going to try to take it to us. I'm really proud of the guys because winning is hard and they may come out want it to be a little easier than it's going to be. They're up to the challenge to play these types of games. To have a knack for winning is a big deal."

Tim Tawa contributed in all phases today: "He let us catch our breath a little bit. We were behind and he hit that home run and I think that settled us down some. And then the defensive play when every base was important at that point, especially with a leadoff guy keeping him off base was a big deal. He has been playing solid and had a bunt base hit in the game, too. He has been doing great."

Bakst and Grech giving six strong innings: "That was the key. I thought Bakst's innings were solid and Grech -- I think that's his first time out in the last week or so since the break. That was big for us. That won the game. I told the team that Grech's innings out there won the game."

You've spoke about how Grech pitches alone can make hitters uncomfortable. With a performance like today it seems to show he's capable of doing more than get weak grounders: "Yeah, he did a nice job. He punched out the side in his first inning. I think he used his slider a little. His change has been his best off-speed pitch, but if he can mix that slider in there it makes it even tougher. He is a good fielder and has been doing that all year. That helps us late in the game. You don't have to worry when a runner gets on that they bunt or put on a play. If he's not a good defensive player you may have to go get him."

So, after doubling your season strikeout total (now at six) does this mean your a strikeout guy now?

"I don't know about that. I had strikeouts with I think all three of my pitches that first inning. That's not really my go-to. I usually try to let my defense work and we have one of the best defenses in the country. The earlier they can put the ball in play the better for me, but I got three today, which is nice."

Coach Esquer talked about using your slider a little more, so how has that helped you and your development this season?

"The slider is a relatively new pitch for me. I'm really comfortable with that changeup. I agree that to rightys the slider can be a really big pitch. I think I only threw one or two today, both to rightys, and got a punch out with one. Coach Eager has been awesome helping me through it and so have the catchers."

Tawa's diving catch and the defense: "It's awesome. You could get a ball hit to the gap off you and the first thought in your mind is we might have someone there. It's really nice to be able to throw strikes. I kind of got tired at the end and told myself, 'Let them put the ball in play.' Tawa did exactly what we expect him to do."

In the last seven innings of the game the bullpen only allowed two hits. How strong is this bullpen right now?

"I think the bullpen -- all the experts said it was our weakness this year -- we pitch with a chip on our shoulder. We have a really young bullpen and Jack (Little) at the end has just been unbelievable ... Palsich, Weirermiller -- everyone has been doing their part and not trying to do too much."

Can you take us through your at-bat when you hit the home run?

"It was a changeup. I knew they were going to throw something slow. I was on the guy's fastball, I thought, early and the guy was throwing a lot of off-speed early in the count to try to get ahead. I was sitting on an off-speed pitch. I swung through the first one, but I didn't think I was going to get anything hard the next time so I just waited a little bit longer. I put a good swing on the ball."

What's the mental endurance challenge of winning this game after a really tough weekend series?

"We just have to fight through. Classes started today and no one got to go because we're here playing baseball, which is kind of a blessing. It's part of the grind. I think our guys did a good job battling. Sometimes we're hitting the ball, but we're not pushing runs across. Their pitcher did a really good job today. It's just staying focused and knowing that the game is going to come to us, as Coach Esquer says, and relax and play ball."

After playing third base early this season you're back to playing center field, how comfortable do you feel defensively in center field?

"Center field has always been the spot that I felt most comfortable and getting more reps out there, more game experience has gotten me more comfortable. I feel good as a leader out there controlling the defense."

Have you seen the approach to you change in how the pitchers are coming at you now?

"I don't think I've seen much of a difference, maybe a little more off-speed, but I'm sticking with my approach and what I can control. And just swing the bat. I can't control what they're going to pitch to me. I'm trying to do my best to hit the ball where it's pitched and stay relaxed and confident."

What's the comfort level of having a bullpen that can come in whatever day of the week and put up zeroes?

"It's really a special thing to have a strong bullpen like we do. Coach (Thomas) Eager has all those guys working really hard and on point. Whenever anyone comes in I have full confidence that they're going to throw strikes and get people out. It really is special. Today Grech and Bakst did a really good job to come in and shut the door. They jumped on us a little early but those guys came in and threw zeroes. That's big for us. It's everyone who comes in. I can't say enough about how hard they're working and how much it's paying off."

The leadership of Nico Hoerner: "He's someone I look up to and someone who is definitely the leader of our team. When he steps up to the plate with a guy at third and two outs I had no doubt that he was coming through for us. He's a guy who leads us through everything and a guy who gives us the energy that we follow."

How about the play of Beau Branton in the nine spot and how he has been setting the table for the top of the order: "Absolutely. Beau is a good player ... and he's really hitting the ball well with great approaches. He's seeing the ball really well and he's sticking with what he does best, which is hitting the ball low and hard. When he's crushing the ball he's getting outs. He's hitting line drives. He is doing a really good job for us."

Nico has said the chemistry of the team is helped by everyone on the team feeling they have opportunities to help the team win. How have you guys managed this season and having to use all the guys?

"I think that our team is really resilient and we're ready for anything at any point in any game. I think everyone worked really hard in the offseason and is ready to play. I think that being so close and so together as a team has really helped us step up when someone goes down or we needed a defensive substitution or pinch runner. I think that no matter what everyone wants to help the team win. No one on the team is selfish. We're all working on one goal to win ball games every day."