OU softball coach Patty Gasso understood Quincee Lilio’s desire to look for playing opportunities elsewhere.
During three seasons with the Sooners, Lilio played in 88 games, making 12 starts, and hit .211 with two home runs and 14 RBIs.
Lilio ultimately landed at South Carolina with new coach Ashley Chastain Woodard.
Lilio, an Oceanside, California, product, has flourished.
Heading into this weekend’s SEC-opening series between the Gamecocks and Sooners in Norman, Lilio is second in the SEC in hitting with a .569 batting average. Only OU’s Ella Parker is hitting better.
Lilio has seven doubles and a pair of triples with 18 RBIs and has already drawn 19 walks.
“I’m really happy for her,” Gasso said Tuesday. “I really enjoyed Q a lot here and I was so grateful for her loyalty to the program. I wasn’t surprised that she was ready to do this. When COVID came, there was a pocketful of athletes that were just at the wrong place, wrong time. She was one of them. She had to play behind some of the best players that have ever played in this program. She was always hustling and always practicing hard.
I’m really happy for her. I’m sorry it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to and she wanted it to, but as long as she’s getting what she wants out of her career, that’s important.”
The Sooners (19-0) host Lilio and South Carolina in a three-game series beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Love’s Field.
