Florida's Ali Gardiner connected on a two-out walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Gators over Alabama, 6-5, in Game 12 of the WCWS. It marked the senior first baseman's ninth home run of the sason (first career grand slam) and gave her 48 RBIs this year.

Gardiner's grand slam was the 12th this year by Florida. She became the fifth Gator to hit one this season.

"I have been coaching softball now for 11 years, and in my 11 years I have never seen a team with so much determination and fight," said Florida Head Coach Tim Walton. "No matter if we are getting out-played, out-scored, it doesn't matter. We always know we are going to have a good chance with our nine hitters.

"I think it was the best softball game I've ever been a part of."

Georgia shortstop Kristin Schnake glides into home plate after the senior belted a three-run home run in the fourth inning against Washington in Game 11 of the WCWS. Schnake's homer gave the Bulldogs an 8-4 lead.

She now has five home runs on the season. Her three RBIs against the Huskies increases her total to five in the WCWS and 30 for the season.

Batting in the nine hole for Washington, Nikki Williams has been on a power streak while competing in the Women's College World Series. The freshman collected two home runs prior to the WCWS this season.

Williams blasted a pair of home runs in WCWS Game 11 against Georgia -- a three-run shot with two outs in the top of the second inning (gave the Huskies a 3-0 lead) and a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the fourth (tied the game at 8). Williams also hit a home run against Georgia in Game 1 on Thursday.

Williams also set a WCWS single-game record with her seven RBIs (previous was four). Her nine RBIs on the week are also a WCWS record (previous mark was eight).

Georgia sophomore Taylor Schlopy is proving her versatility while playing in the Women's College World Series. At the plate, she collect two home runs against Michigan on Saturday. The Bulldogs starting centerfielder also made an appearance in the pitching circle against Washington in Game 11 of the WCWS.

Coach Lu Harris-Champer mentioned Schlopy's pitching ability after Georgia defeated the Wolverines Saturday. "Taylor is just a clutch player," she said. "She is extremely dynamic; she is what you call a five-tool player. I actually call her a six, because she can also pitch. No one knows that yet about her, but she's a phenominal player."

Against the Huskies, Schlopy tossed 2.1 innings, surrendering three hits, one run and four strikeouts and recording one strikeout and 62 pitches.

Georgia senior pitcher Christie Hamilton has been a topic of conversation at the Women's College World Series.The right-hander has experienced multiple illegal pitch calls because umpires are ruling Hamilton is not keeping within the pitching lane which is the length of the pitching rubber. The lines have been added to show the pitcher where they are supposed to land, as well as help the umpire make the call. 

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Alabama has the bases loaded and faces a 2-0 deficit against Arizona State. Freshman Jazlyn Lunceford is called upon to pinch hit. With a 2-2 count, the left-handed hitter goes opposite field to produce a grand slam and gives the Crimson Tide a 4-2 lead.

"It was really exciting to be in that situation," said Lunceford. "I just knew that I wanted to get it done for our seniors because it means a lot to them. The whole team just wants to do it for them."

Lunceford batted for senior All-American Brittany Rogers. The freshman's previous hit came April 22 against Georgia Tech. She had only four at bats between that April 22 single and her grand slam tonight.

Next to Kirk Gibson, who can think of a more clutch pinch hit?

A Women's College World Series record 8,475 fans attended Saturday's evening session, breaking the previous single-season mark of 8,323 set Friday. Through five sessions this year, attendance is at 36,519 (an average of 7,304 per session). The WCWS record for average attendance per session is 6,648, set last year.

Georgia's leadoff hitter Taylor Schlopy came up with two clutch home runs against Michigan in an elimination game Saturday night. The sophomore started the Bulldog scoring with a solo blast in the bottom of the first.

In the second inning, she repeated the feat, but this time with two runners on base, giving Georgia a 5-3 advantage. Schlopy has hit 15 home runs on the season.

Georgia will face Washington in Game 11 of the WCWS on Sunday, May 31, at Noon CDT.

Alabama Head Softball Coach Patrick Murphy offered much praise to Arizona Head Coach Mike Candrea after the Crimson Tide defeated the Wildcats, 14-0:

"Mike is a class guy, and I can remember in the year 2000, I had an Arizona TV station interview me. I said that I want to be like Mike, and it wasn't Michael Jordan. It was Mike Candrea. He has been a good person every year, and the king of the sport, as far as I am concerned." 

Alabama came back with a vengeance after losing to Michigan in the first round of the WCWS Thursday. The Crimson Tide defeated Arizona, 14-0, this afternoon, scoring the most runs in a WCWS game and claiming the largest margin of victory in a WCWS game.

Third baseman Kelley Montalvo showed hustle and grit in the field, at the plate and on the basepaths. Defensively, she snagged three putouts at the hot corner, and offensively, Montalvo batted 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a double and two RBIs.

Alabama celebrates at the plate after Charlotte Morgan belted her 11th home run of the season in the fifth inning. Morgan pitched the shutout, surrendering five hits and and one walk and recording three strikeouts. She also batted 3-for-4 with a run, a double and three RBIs.

Alabama will face its second opponent from the Grand Canyon State this evening when the Tide takes on Arizona State at 8 p.m. CDT (approx.) in Game 10 of the WCWS. 

Competing in its first-ever Women's College World Series, Georgia picked up its first win in the event to stay alive in the losers' bracket to face Michigan today at 6 p.m. CDT in Game 9 of the WCWS.

Kristyn Sandberg extended Georgia's lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run home run. She scored Brianna Hesson off her ninth homer of the season.

"I was looking for a good pitch to hit, and I took my hack at it, and it went out," said Sandberg who is one long ball away from the Bulldogs' freshman home run record.

Fans filled the seats early at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium as Georgia and Missouri battle in the first game of the day. Alabama and Arizona will play in game two, with two more games to follow.

Throughout the 2009 Women's College World Series, interactive games and promotional booths are open for fans to enjoy.

Coca Cola Recycling features trivia contests and other entertaining functions, as well as allowing fans to deposit recyclable items.

Kids compete in fastpitch competitions and other athletic skills contests.

Fans are getting their pictures taken with an on-the-field view backdrop of ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, or with the 2009 NCAA Softball Championship Trophy.

There is also balloon fun and face painting, featuring fans' teams' colors and logos.

The Gators await for Megan Bush to come home, as the sophomore hit her second home run of this year's WCWS with a solo shot in the top of the sixth inning.

UF pitcher Stacey Nelson struck out nine Wolverines in her 33rd complete game this season, improving her record to 41-3 on the year.

Florida advances to play the winner of Game 10 Sunday at 2 p.m. CDT.

A WCWS single-season record crowd of 8,323 was on hand this evening. The previous record of 8,230 fans was set in last year's third session.

Washington pitcher Danielle Lawrie's stats against Arizona State in WCWS Game 5: 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 85 pitches

Arizona State pitcher Hillary Bach's stats against Washington in WCWS Game 5: 7.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 119 pitches

  Washington sophomore Morgan Stuart collected the game-winning hit in the eighth inning, advancing the Huskies to Sunday play in the WCWS. Batting 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Stuart singled to left and scored Kimi Pohlman to end the game.

"Our team is tested for this kind of stuff," Stuart said when asked about her game-winning hit. "We perform well with each other when everyone knows that we have each other's back. When I saw Dani (Lawrie) move (Pohlman) over, I just knew that it was going to happen."

Along with the multitude of fans who represent the eight teams competing in the Women's College World Series, there are many younger softball players who also fill the stands at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium every year.

Florida pitcher Stacey Nelson entered the evening leading the nation in ERA (0.41), having allowed 15 earned runs in 255.1 innings. Her numbers improved after the junior pitched her 21st shutout on the season in the Gators' victory over Arizona.

The Wildcats started the game with back-to-back singles and appeared to have Nelson in a bind. That's when she told herself "Stacey! You really need to get it together!"

Her personal admonition appeared to be enough motivation as the All-American did not surrender a hit for the remainder of the game. She recorded 12 strikeouts and collected her 40th win on the year.

Arizona fans were in vibrant spirits, participating in the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

  Alberta makes an appearance at the WCWS, cheering on the Gators to victory.

Fans of all WCWS teams have come out in large support. Michigan and Alabama fans were no different.

  Michigan's Amanda Chidester is greeted at the plate after collecting her eighth home run of the season. The freshman gave the Wolverines a 2-0 lead in the third inning and recorded the eventual game-winning hit over the Crimson Tide.

ESPN's broadcasting trio of Jessica Mendoza, Jon Kruk and Beth Mowens call the Alabama-Michigan softball game at the WCWS.

Arizona State freshman pitcher Hillary Bach threw her first game in the WCWS this afternoon, but the Oklahoma native is no stranger to the NCAA championship event.

"Ever since I was 10, we have been coming down here, and (the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium) always hosts the little kid tournaments," said Bach. "It's really exciting when you get to play on the big field. I still have pictures where my name is on the board, and my dad has it hanging on the refrigerator. That was a really good memory for me, and this was a really special place to play. It's Hall of Fame Stadium. It's a really big deal."

Bach spoke with ESPN's Holly Rowe after the game. The freshman pitched a complete game surrendering four hits, three runs, two earned runs, one walk and fanning two batters while leading ASU to a 7-3 victory over Missouri.

"I have special memories here, and it is always exciting when you get to drive in to the big field," said Bach. "I am just having fun, and it's like the little kid in me is really excited. This is what I have been waiting for, and my dreams are coming true."

Tiger fans and Sun Devils fans were in the stands for Game Two of the WCWS.

It's Day One of the 2009 Women's College World Series, and the weather is ideal for softball enthusiasts.

Washington and Georgia fans were in the stands for the opening game featuring the Huskies and the Bulldogs.

Washington defeated Georgia, 3-1, and No. 3 Niki Williams collected the game-winning hit with a two-run homer to centerfield in the fourth inning.

The four-bagger was the freshman's third on the year and ended Williams' 37-game home run drought. Her previous home run occurred on Feb. 27. "Any hit is a great hit, and a home run is even better," Williams said.

UW fans Vic Salling, Dave Bennett and Todd Salling enjoyed the opening game from the outfield bleachers. The natives of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, came 2,124 miles to Oklahoma City to support family member Jenn Salling, Huskies shortstop.

This was not the furthest they have travelled to watch Salling play. They also went to China last year to support her at the Summer Olympic Games when she played for Team Canada.

Jim and Tricia Welch of Edmond, Okla., attended the Party at the Park. They made it known who they will be supporting this week at the WCWS. Their granddaughter is Arizona State's Hillary Bach, who can be seen in the pitcher's circle for the Sun Devils.

Gates opened at the ASA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla., for the Party at the Park, the leadoff event for the NCAA Women's College World Series. Fans lined up to participate in various activities throughout the stadium complex. The weather was perfect for local softball teams to experience the setting where many softball legends have played.