2002: Played in 29 games, starting 26 of them mainly in leftfield ... was 23-73 (.315) at the plate, although did not have enough at-bats (two per team game) to qualify for team lead in batting ... recorded career highs in almost every offensive category ... hit first homerun as an Otahkian against Eastern Kentucky (3.24) ... committed only one error in the field ... 10-24 (.417) batting on the season with two outs ... recorded six multi-hits games and had a long hitting streak of four games ... recorded back-to-back-to-back two hits games in doubleheader against Loyola of Chicago (3.7) and versus Indiana State (3.11).
2001: Played in 24 games, starting 14 ... was 2-3 with a run scored against Akron at University of Kentucky Tournament (3.11) ... was solid defensively, only committing one error (.944 fielding percentage) ... good eye at the plate, drawing seven walks and only striking out four times ... only Otahkian to have single-digit number of strikeouts on the season.
2000: Walk-on who played in 11 games, starting three ... although playing time was limited, had a .533 batting average in 15 at-bats ... had a slugging percentage of .600 and an on-base percentage of .529 ... went 2-3 with four RBI's in 11-3 win against Tennessee State (5.7).
Prep: Attended Althoff Catholic High ... played shortstop, third base and outfield for coach Mary Kloess ... drove in tying run in sectional final for team that advanced to state tournament ... also competed in basketball and volleyball ... volleyball teammate of current Otahkian volleyball players Suzanne Gundlach and Emily Scannell.
Personal: Born 9-18-80 ... daughter of Dennis and Jean Cerneka ... father is a graduate of Southeast ... majoring in communication disorders ... named to 2002 Verizon Academic All-District softball team ... NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete in 2000 and 2001 ... National Honor Society member in high school ... Southeast Scholar Athlete ... sisters Jill and Kim played softball at Quincy University ... named to 2000-01 OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Richmond says: "The word on Katie Cerneka is dependable. She will always make each defensive and the player who will deliver in crucial situations. One of our captains, I am relying on her for direction to our team."
