Bako, Pugliese named Bulldogs of the Week

PERKINSTON — Jan Bako and Pia Pugliese have been named Bulldogs of the Week for March 9-15.

Bako, a freshman from Ostrava, Czech Republic, knocked off one of the nation's top singles players and picked up four more points during Gulf Coast's trip to Texas for the Tyler Invitational. He got a straight-set win over Seward's Theo Cabre on Friday, then knocked off No. 5 Luke Van Geel from Tyler 7-5, 6-4 on Saturday. Later in the day, he beat Collin County's Luis Oliva, and he picked up another win Saturday against No. 15 Jacksonville.

Pugliese, a freshman from San Juan, Argentina, picked up four singles wins during the Bulldogs' Texas trip to the Tyler Invitational. She beat Pratt's Ilse Smaalders in a 5-4 team win, then defeated No. 23 Sherin Sheerle from No. 3 Tyler in straight sets on Friday. Saturday, Pugliese beat No. 32 Chiho Takada from Cowley County 6-4, 6-4 before pushing No. 9 Marie-Alex Urcun from Collin to a third set. She also got a win in Gulf Coast's 9-0 win over Jacksonville on Sunday.

Also nominated:

Caroline Batson, a sophomore outfielder from Wiggins, batted .444 with a double and three RBI during a 2-2 week for Gulf Coast.

Katelyn Brinkley had 13 points and nine rebounds in Gulf Coast's 63-53 loss to Pearl River in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament semifinal.

Erimel Rosado, a sophomore shortstop from Dorado, Puerto Rico, hit .615 with two home runs during a 2-2 week for No. 24 Mississippi Gulf Coast. He had hits in all four games and homered in the two wins while playing perfect defense.

McKenzie Smith, a freshman right-hander from St. Amant, La., threw a two-hit shutout for Gulf Coast to beat Holmes 2-0. She struck out four and walked two.

James Vines, a sophomore right-hander from Clinton, La., struck out 10 in a four-hitter to beat Holmes 5-2 in Goodman. He walked only one batter.

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