Petricca puts the power of print into the art of hitting

He has taught hundreds the art of hitting in baseball and softball.

Now Paul Petricca has put it into print.

His book Hitting with Torque - For Baseball and Softball Hitters is out just in time for Christmas and available on Amazon.com for $17.99.

Petricca was the hitting coach for Wheaton College for two years and instructed many District 214 and St. Viator baseball and softball hitters that went on to play in college.

Among the many are Wheeling graduate Sara Kern (softball at University of Missouri St. Louis), Palatine grad Ryan Logan (softball at Missouri St. Louis), Palatine graduate Tori Walzak (softball, Benedictine) and Prospect senior Ryan Howe (baseball, Purdue).

In the book, Petricca describes in detail how to achieve the proper swing angle in order to drive the ball with more power in the gaps and over the wall.

"I wrote this book because I love the game," writes Petricca, an Arlington Heights resident, "and I want to give baseball and softball hitters the opportunity to learn to love the game. Over the years, my hitters have given me a king's ransom of doubles, home runs and high averages."

Nearly 100 people attended a book signing 10 days ago at Armand's from noon to 2 p.m. Petricca's wife Tammy and their children Elaine, Sam and Rick put on the event.

Petricca, a Managing Director for Jones Lang LaSalle, has published several hitting and baseball-related articles that range from the presentation of technical hitting theory, to practical topics for coaches, players, and parents.

He joined the Wheaton College softball staff in 2015 as the hitting coach. The Thunder set several team and individual single-season school hitting records, including home runs and doubles. In 2016, Wheaton broke almost every offensive record it had set the year before, including new highs for triples and home runs. Eight players on the team were named to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin all-conference team.

Men's basketball

Lake Forest College junior Danny Sotos (Conant) has been named men's basketball performer of the week in the Midwest Conference.

Sotos averaged 26 points in a pair of wins. He scored a game-high 23 points in an 84-72 triumph at Beloit College and registered a career-high-tying 29 points in an 82-77 victory at the University of Chicago.

Sotos shot 17-for-25 from the field, 8-for-11 from 3-point range and 10-for-12 from the free throw line while pulling down 11 rebounds in the two games combined.

His most impressive stretch was a span of 11:15 in which he outscored Chicago 20-18 by himself to fuel the comeback victory.

• Bucknell freshman guard Jimmy Sotos (Conant) was named rookie of the week in the Patriot League as he scored in double-figures in three victories.

Sotos had 10 points and 5 assists against Siena, 12 points (8-of-10 free throw shooting) against Ball State, and 10 points (3-for-3 from 3-point range) and 3 assists vs. Stony Brook.

Football

Western Illinois senior left tackle Josh Baldus (Palatine) was named honorable mention to the to All-Missouri Valley Football Conference team.

He guided the Leathernecks' offense to a national top-30 ranking in team passing efficiency (10th, 154.36), red zone offense (15th, 87.8), turnovers lost (18th, 13), scoring offense (19th, 34.2), time of possession (20th, 31:43), first downs (23rd, 241), third down conversions (24th, 42.2) and passing offense (29th, 241.3).

Women's swimming

Washington College junior Julia Portmann (Fremd) won two individual events while helping the Shorewomen to a fourth-place finish at the Yellow Jacket Invitational in Richmond, Va.

Portmann won the 500 freestyle in 5:10.00, the 1,650 freestyle in 17:51.37 and took second in the 200 freestyle in 1:58.24.

Portmann also swam on the winning 400 freestyle relay team, which finished in 3:37.27 and the second-place 800 freestyle relay team which finished in 8:04.16.

Women's soccer

DePaul senior Alexa Ben (Schaumburg) received first team honors for the Senior CLASS Award. She is one of the top five among the nation's balloting. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as a NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

Ben has been an integral part of the DePaul women's soccer team and its success in her four seasons. Her achievements for hard work in the classroom include selections to the 2016 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-America Second Team, 2016 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-Region First Team, and 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-District Second Team while being tabbed with Big East All-Academic Team honors on three occasions.

On the field, Ben has received almost every award possible during her career at DePaul including conference Freshman of the Year, conference Midfielder of the Year (2016) and first-team All-Conference (2015, 2016).

Three-on-three tourney

The 23rd annual Mustang 3-on-3 Shootout Basketball Tournament will be held Sunday, Dec. 17 at Rolling Meadows High School.

The Rolling Meadows Athletic Booster Club is again sponsoring the event, which is open to boys and girls from third grade through adult.

The games will be played from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with younger players going earlier in the day. All games will be officiated. Concessions will be available.

Early registration is through Dec. 9 and the cost is $120 per team. The final registration deadline is Dec. 14 and cost per team is $130. Teams may register online at rmhsbooters.com

Proceeds from this event go toward student activities and the RMHS Athletic Boosters. Please direct questions to Dave Dillon (847-525-8969) or Rick Kowalski (847-421-1258).

• Email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com