The Pierce College women’s softball program doesn’t want a repeat of the 2012 season.

The Raiders went 21-23 and finished second in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges’ West Division after five straight division championships.

Raiders sixth-year head coach Mark Edmonston expects his team to return to the form in 2013. With eight returning players from last season, they won five of their first eight games.

“It makes my life a lot easier as a coach when you’re heavy in sophomores instead of freshmen,” Edmonston said. “The difference is just night and day.

“In 2011, we had eight returning players as well,” he said. “We have been here before.”

Edmonston said his team talked about expectations for the season during practices last September.

“We were on the field for about 15 minutes and were just talking as a team,” he said. “The team looked around and then started discussing this coming season. We understand and know that we are going to be good this year.

“We have the attitude that we are going to get better every single day,” he added. “Our goal is to get back on the top of the West Division and win 37 games like we did in 2008 and 2011. I really believe our team is capable of winning 37 or more games.”

Edmonston said the 2013 Raiders have the ability to eclipse what the 2011 team accomplished.

“Two years ago, we finished in fifth place at the NWAACC tourney,” he said. “We had a nice run. We have a goal of finishing that high or higher. Our goal is to be playing on the last day of the tournament.”

Lunden Young and Kierston Perry will lead the Raiders’ pitching staff. The one-two punch has befuddled opposing teams’ hitters in early season games.

“We’re playing pretty well and are ahead of where we were at during this time last year,” Edmonston said.