After sneaking up on the competition in 2007 and reaching the state finals with one of the youngest teams in Class L, coach Ed Poisson knows his Pioneers aren’t surprising anyone this year.

But the expectation remains the same.

“To make it beyond that first round in Class L you’ve got to throw your No. 1, and you’re just hoping your pitching staff can hold up,” said Poisson of the difficulty in returning to the state championship game. “I think everybody is looking at us, and they know we have the pitching … They’ve seen them play last year and all summer long, and they know we’re mature, so people expect us to be (in contention).

If the kids continue to do their jobs, this could be a very successful year here at Trinity.”

Last year the Pioneers entered the postseason with a 10- 12 record as the No. 13 seed. But after upsets of Keene, Nashua South and Goffstown, they reached the promised land, only to fall to another upstart team, Merrimack.

This season, despite foes’ familiarity with the Pioneers, the team boasts a 6-2 record. And they’re still young.

With one senior on the 2008 squad, and several Neighborhood athletes receiving regular playing time, Poisson said he’s not only excited about this season, but 2009 as well.

Among a strong group of juniors are Bedford’s Sean Lyons and Garrett Cole, Hooksett’s Rick Fosher and Goffstown’s Dave Danielson.

Last season, Lyons batted .500, stole 18 bases and threw out four baserunners from the outfield.

He’s also the team’s No. 2 starter behind another junior, fellow left-hander Dylan Clark. Fosher, a righty who suffered a serious leg injury and missed the latter half of last season, is Trinity’s third starter and also mans first base. Cole, the team’s closer, and Danielson pitch this season in relief, as does sophomore Connor Lyons.

The younger Lyons, who plays outfield with his brother and senior captain Tim Moreau, batted .367 as a freshman. Sophomore Nick Nallette of Goffstown, who played junior varsity last season with Danielson, has made a smooth transition from shortstop to catcher. Danielson starts at third base, and Cole moves from second to shortstop.