Through five innings Wednesday, it appeared that the Hopkinton High School softball team might find a way to knock off Bedford and its dominant pitcher, Alyx Rossi, the Gatorade Player of the Year for Massachusetts.

Things went south in the sixth, however, and the third-seeded Buccaneers used that three-run frame to take a 3-1 victory in the Division 2 state semifinals at Worcester State University.

Hopkinton pitcher Addy Walls was the story through the first five innings. Not only did the sophomore keep a talented Bedford offense off the board — allowing just one hit and one walk to that point — she provided the only run, sending Rossi’s second pitch of the game over the fence in center field. It was the first run Rossi and the Buccaneers had allowed this postseason.

The Hillers defense helped out, with center fielder Callie Arthur and shortstop Holly Paharik making diving catches.

In the fateful sixth, Bedford had a runner on first with one out via an infield single when Rossi smoked a liner up the middle, and it drilled Walls. The ball deflected into foul territory on the first base side for a hit.

Walls stayed in the game but suddenly showed some vulnerability. The next batter, Lexie Masters, hit a two-run double to put Bedford ahead. One out later, Addi Poulter delivered a hit to left that drove in another run. Walls regrouped to end the rally with a strikeout.

Meanwhile, Rossi, a 5-foot-9 left-hander, continued to power through the Hopkinton lineup. She finished with 15 strikeouts and allowed just two hits — Walls’ homer and a bunt single by Ava Davenport — and one walk — to Paharik, her future Boston College teammate.

Bedford (20-1) will play the winner of Thursday’s game between fifth-seeded Westfield and top-seeded Silver Lake for the state title.

Second-seeded Hopkinton finishes its memorable season with a record of 20-4.

“We had a really special group of athletes this season,” HHS coach Shannon Allberry-Yerardi stated. “On any given day, any one of them could be the hero. I strongly believe the way they trust and support each other on and off the field was a primary reason for our success this season. They all put in the work and challenged each other to be better every day.”

Allberry-Yerardi credited the five seniors who have been on board since they were freshmen for helping to rebuild the program. And she highlighted two players in particular.

“We are incredibly lucky and grateful to have had both Holly Paharik and Addy Walls on the same roster for the last two years,” the coach gushed. “Words cannot describe what Holly Paharik means to our program at Hopkinton High School. She is a game changer; you can actually feel the energy of a game shift when she steps into the batter’s box. She approaches every pitch in every game, scrimmage and practice like she’s being watched by top college coaches. She’s the first one at the field and the last to leave every day. She pushes everybody to be their best selves both on and off the field. She’s a once-in-a-career student-athlete. It has truly been an honor to have Holly on our team for the last four years.

“Addy Walls has been our rock on the mound. She’s confident and composed and competes extremely well in high-pressure situations, and has already hit some really impressive milestones: 300-plus career K’s; 200-plus K’s this season alone. She gives our defense so much confidence to make big plays behind her. On offense, Addy is a very reliable bat; she sees the ball very well and has excellent pitch selection. I’m so excited to see what comes next for Addy.”