After reaching the Class L finale as a No. 13 seed in 2007 and returning nearly the entire team, the outlook was bright for the Trinity baseball team this season.

But after a 12-1 loss to fifth-seeded Nashua North in the Class L quarterfinals, Pioneers manager Ed Poisson admitted maybe the expectations outweighed the reality that it’s tough to win in Class L, especially when carrying a giant target on your back.

Junior pitcher Sean Lyons of Bedford, for instance, came into the contest not nervous, but over-pumped, said Poisson.

“He knew … the expectations. Everybody is back. The pitching staff is back. You know, we were expected to win the whole shooting match,” said the manager. “It’s like I told my wife, (the jinx) is like being on the cover of Sports Illustrated. One thing we have to remember is these are just 16- and 17-year-old kids.”

The Pioneers entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed after a 14-5 regular season, an improvement on last year’s 10-12 record. They secured an 8-1 opening-round victory against Winnacunnet on Thursday, June 5, but couldn’t reproduce that effort at Nashua’s Holman Stadium on Saturday, June 7.

“The name of the game is pitching. You know, despite what people may say, you get the ball 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate, and the kids that throw and keep it within their framework, they win,” said Poisson. “Today, we gave them too many outs, too many hits … Their pitcher wasn’t overpowering, and yet he kept them in the game.”

The Pioneers created several offensive opportunities, including a bases-loaded chance in the bottom of the fourth inning. But Lyons’ long fly ball was grabbed to end the threat.

Poisson once again has another full year with most of the current team. The lone senior on this year’s squad, captain Tim Moreau, scored Trinity’s lone run against North.

“We get everyone back. Now, am I going to stand pat? No. If there is dead weight, hopefully somebody’s gong to come in and help me decide what to do with it,” said Poisson.

In addition to Sean Lyons and his younger brother, Connor, Trinity returns several other locals including Bedford’s Garrett Cole, Hooksett’s Rick Fosher, and Goffstown’s Dave Danielson and Nick Nallette.