The first Southwestern Conference championship in Alton Redbirds softball history remains far from accomplished with 13 dates remaining in a 14-game league schedule.

But Tuesday was an impressive first step for the Redbirds.

With Brittany Roady tossing a two-hitter, Alton opened SWC play with a 4-2 victory over the O’Fallon Panthers in a clash of unbeaten teams in Godfrey. The Redbirds, who face another tough SWC test Thursday at Belleville East, are 7-0. O’Fallon, which had allowed just three runs in its first five games, drops to 5-1.

The Redbirds never trailed, grabbing leads of 1-0 after one inning and 2-1 after three innings before tacking on two runs in the fifth to go up 4-1.

Tami Wong went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI for the Redbirds, who got two hits from Katelyn Presley and two RBI from Miranda Hudson. Roady gave two runs (zero earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out five.

O’Fallon pitcher Addison Barnouski, a Southeast Missouri recruit, took the loss. She allowed four runs (two earned) while striking out 10 and walking on one.