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Ned Jackson could make the argument that sometimes it's better to not have a senior-laden team.

The Pingree boys lacrosse co-head coach may not have had the same thoughts in mid-March. But now that the Highlanders are the New England Small School Tournament champs, he has proof to back up the claim.

Ned Jackson could make the argument that sometimes it's better to not have a senior-laden team.

The Pingree boys lacrosse co-heads coach may not have had the same thoughts in mid-March. But now that the Highlanders are the New England Small School Tournament champs, he has proof to back up the claim.

All season long, the Pingree baseball team has had one goal in mind: defend their New England Championship. With a 9-0 win over the Forman School from Litchfield, Conn., in the semifinals, the Highlanders (21-2) will get that chance.

Senior Jesse Sullivan tossed a complete game, three-hit shutout to lead the defending New England champion Highlanders into Friday's semifinal with a 7-0 quarterfinal win over Concord Academy. Dillon Vassallo cranked two doubles and drove in a run while Lamarre Rey and Mike Lamothe also drove in runs. Ben McLaughlin smashed a 400-foot triple and recorded an RBI as well.

Two wins over Concord Academy during the regular season mean nothing to Pingree now that the New England Small School Tournament is here. The Highlanders (16-2) host Concord today in a playoff quarterfinal (4:30 p.m.) fully aware that resting on their laurels is the last thing they should be doing.

Kaisy Rosario was 2 for 3, scoring twice, and Dale Bishop had a single, a run and made a great play in the outfield as both seniors played their final home game in the mercy rule rout. The Highlanders (19-4) scored seven in the third and six in the fourth. The win sealed second place in the EIL. Pingree plays in the EIL playoffs today at Worcester.

The accolades continue to pour in for the Pingree girls. Sam Taylor, a First Team All-American for U.S. Lacrosse last year, achieved the next level of recognition by being named an Under Armour All-American this season. She got the call late last week, notifying her that she was selected as an All-American and will be playing in the North-South game in July.

Michaela Colbert and Haley Thompson each scored four goals but it wasn't enough to lead a second half charge by Pingree. Sam Taylor and Liza Richardson each scored one goal, while Liv Whitney finished with 14 saves.

A big first inning was the perfect scenario for a Pingree team that desperately wanted to achieve its first goal of the season Saturday afternoon.

The Highlanders scored four times in the first and held on for a 6-3 win over Berwick Academy to seal their 13th Eastern Independent League title in the last 15 years.

The Pingree School, which has just one senior, has picked up its play recently after veteran coach Jim MacLaughlin moved Kaisy Rosario of Lawrence from shortstop to center field. Sophomore Kellie Marshall of Danvers has taken over at shortstop for the Highlanders, who are 4-2 in the Eastern Independent League.