OKLAHOMA CITY — Ali Gardiner was in a prolonged slump, her team was in a tough spot and she hadn't been on the best terms with her father lately.

All in one swing, all her worries were gone.

Gardiner hit the first walk-off grand slam in Women's College World Series history, lifting top-seeded Florida into the championship round with a 6-5 victory over Alabama yesterday.

It was enough to make her father cry.

"His dream was always to see me in a Gator uniform, and I was here and I was able to push our team to where we wanted to go," Gardiner said, tearing up herself. "It means a lot. To see my dad, who doesn't show much emotion — and the last few days we haven't talked much — it meant a lot to me."

Gardiner sent a 2-1 pitch from Alabama ace Kelsi Dunne (28-5) the opposite way, clearing the left-field fence as Whitney Larsen fell over the top as she tried to make a game-saving catch.

It was her first hit in 16 at-bats and followed a swing adjustment she made during Florida's day off on Saturday.

"I've been working to try to get out of my own head all week. I felt like I've never had to work harder to just get a base hit," said Gardiner, who'd seen her average drop from .438 to .298 over the last three months. "My last at-bat, I just went up there, cleared my mind and was just trying to make good contact and find a way on."

Alabama (54-11) had rallied for four runs with two outs in the fourth inning to chase Stacey Nelson, who leads the nation with an 0.39 ERA.

The Gators (63-3), who won for the 29th straight time, will face third-seeded Washington (49-12) in the best-of-three championship series beginning tonight.

ALSO

WASHINGTON 9, GEORGIA 3:

National player of the year Danielle Lawrie hit a grand slam and made it hold up with a five-hitter as the Huskies beat the Bulldogs to earn a spot in the finals.

GEORGIA 9, WASHINGTON 8:

Brianna Hesson walked to force in the winning run in the ninth inning, and Alisa Goler and Kristin Schnake homered to lead the Bulldogs to a rematch with the Huskies. Washington's Niki Williams hit two home runs and drove in a World Series-record seven runs.

NCAA DIVISION I SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

AT ASA HALL OF FAME STADIUM, OKLAHOMA CITY

DOUBLE ELIMINATION

YESTERDAY

Georgia 9, Washington 8, 9 innings

Florida 6, Alabama 5, Alabama eliminated

Washington 9, Georgia 3, Georgia eliminated

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

BEST-OF-3, HAWAI'I TIMES

Today: Florida (63-3) vs. Washington (49-12), 2 p.m.

Tomorrow: Florida vs. Washington, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Florida vs. Washington, 2 p.m., if necessary