10-1 impressive season came to a battle with Fair Haven Post, for the area winner,who was favored to win it all. Both battled into the darkness 9-9 score and the game was halted. The Commissioner asked to decide the winner with a toss of a coin. Both coaches objected and they decided to resume the area tournament in the morning. The winner would then have to leave immediately to Brattleboro for the State Tournament finals. Post #31 won in two innings that morning and left for Brattleboro two hours away.
Rutland lost the first game to Barre Post #10 (score 5-2).
Rutland entered the losers bracket with White River Jct Post #26.
Rutland and White River went into the darkness again with a tie 4-4 after 8 innings. The next morning, again Rutland came out and beat White River Jct Post #26. They now played Barre again. Dick Polzello shut down Barre throwing a one hitter and they won 3-0.
Rutland now had to defeat St Albans Post #1, which was undefeated. If St Albans won the first game, it would be all over for Post #31. Russ Shedd pitched a 9 inning no hitter and struck out 8 batters. Rutland won the first game. The second game began and both teams used the same pitchers. Both battling fatigue, Rutland won game #2 and took the state championship.
It was known as the "Miracle of 1955" where everyone worked as a team and everything came together. This was the first state championship under Coach Bill Flory. 8 games in an eight day stretch . They traveled to Keene, NH for the Regional tournament They lost to Concord, NH in a single elimination tournament.
