NORMAN — Patty Gasso wasn’t too fond of her team’s energy in OU’s first game of its doubleheader, a 4-0 win over Iowa State.

The seven-time national champion rallied her group in between games, calling their style of play in the game before “boring” and out of character.

“I think we were anxious and excited to get started,” Gasso said postgame. “The energy in the first game was not exactly what we were looking for.”

That changed quickly as the No. 1 Sooners (21-1, 2-0 Big 12) scored five runs in the first inning and throttled the Cyclones 11-2 in four and a half innings in Game 2 Saturday evening at Love’s Field. The Cyclones (9-12, 0-2) have now dropped 50 consecutive games to OU dating back to 2006.

OU smashed three home runs and Alyssa Brito, Jayda Coleman, Ella Parker and Cydney Sanders finished with two hits apiece for the Sooners in the win.

Senior right-hander Nicole May (7-0) maintained her perfect record this season during Game 2, striking out three in four innings of work. Karlie Keeney pitched one inning of relief for the Sooners, allowing just one hit and struck out two batters.

4,912 fans lined the outside of the stadium in the chilly wind between doubleheader games as they were forced to re-enter following the first game. It’s been a busy weekend in Norman as next door at L. Dale Mitchell Park OU baseball played a doubleheader vs. UCF Saturday and across the street the Lloyd Noble Center held high school basketball playoff games.

Here are three takeaways from OU’s win:

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Offensive surge in 1st inning

The bats were hot for both teams to start Game 2.

In the top frame of the first inning, the Cyclones threatened as Alesia Ranches smacked a single to left center, which scored Tiana Poole and Angelina Allen.

OU responded in the bottom half, however, plating five runs on five hits.

“They came out in Game 2 looking like the team everyone has been used to seeing so it was really wonderful to see that,” Gasso said.

Brito opened the scoring for the Sooners, doubling in Kasidi Pickering. Then, Parker doubled to left center, sending Brito home and across the plate to tie the game.

Coleman stepped into the batter’s box and sent Karlie Charles’ first-pitch of the at-bat to the stands for an opposite-field blast.

Coleman and Charles grew up together and both played for The Colony High School in Texas.

Following Coleman in the batting order, junior infielder Cydney Sanders hit a two-strike pitch into the shrubs under the Oklahoma-shaped scoreboard, giving OU a 5-2 lead and ending Charles’ day in the circle.

The Sooners’ first two home runs in the first inning marked the first multi-homer game ever at Love’s Field, which opened on March 1.

“We were just believing in one another,” Sanders said. “We're very invested in everyone's at bats. I don't know if you guys heard us cheering (in the dugout) this game.”

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Have a weekend, Cydney Sanders

Sanders hit her fourth, fifth and sixth home run of the season on Saturday.

In the bottom of the fourth, Sanders crushed a bullet to left center field, giving the Sooners an 11-2 lead. Before her two deep homers in Game 2, she sent a three-run shot over the right-field wall in Game 1.

“(I was just) seeing a strike and swinging honestly,” Sanders said postgame. “In my last at-bat, I told coach that I was gonna swing at the first pitch strike and I ended up not but it ended up working out. I’m just seeing pitches and taking good swings on them.”

Entering Saturday, Sanders was hitting .333. Sanders is on a heater as of late, hitting a home run in four of OU’s last five games.

“I think I’m just focusing on playing free,” Sanders said. “Not really worried about any outcomes. Just getting in the box and looking for a pitch to hit, not really thinking too much at all. It’s working out a lot so.”

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Jayda Coleman doing Jayda Coleman things

Coleman’s spot in center field should permanently be named a no-fly zone.

Poole struck what looked to be a sure hit in the top of the third inning before Coleman — like she has many times before — dove, tumbled over and secured the acrobatic catch.

“We’re spoiled,” Gasso said. “Jayda Coleman makes some of the greatest plays out there. She will not be denied. … Defense looked solid, it was very clean. It was a very pure style of play.”

Coleman’s fielding percentage this season is a perfect 1.000.

When OU and Iowa State conclude their series at 1 p.m. Sunday on ESPN+, Gasso will be looking for similar energy her team played with on Saturday night.

“Game 2 was fun, it seemed like it went by really fast,” Gasso said. “… Everybody was invested. Momentum is big in softball. … It can get a little exhausting but it’s a fun style, the fans love it and the coaches love it.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball sweeps Iowa State in doubleheader to open Big 12 play