Sophomore third baseman Krista Donnenwirth’s family was ready for it.

They had been anticipating this game, and they were going to be there — rain or shine.

What they didn’t expect was the excitement that had built with the rivalry of ASU’s second meeting against UA to only last two and a half innings.

“Going a third of the way through a game kind of stinks,” Donnenwirth said. “My whole family was there sitting in the rain with ponchos; they were ready, and so were we.”

The game was called on account of rain, leaving both teams feeling incomplete, but giving the Sun Devils more motivation for upcoming games in Tempe against No. 14 California and No. 2 Stanford.

“I think it gives us a little bit of fire to play for this weekend,” Donnenwirth said. “And having the support at home is better. We know our field better than any other fields; it’s a lot easier to play at home. Traveling sucks the life out of you.”

The Sun Devils (34-8, 3-4 Pac-10) will start the weekend with their 100th all-time game against the Golden Bears. Cal leads the all-time series 59 to 40, but was swept by the Sun Devils last year for the first time in a century, and this season the dynamic of the Pac-10 is a little different.

“Everyone is kind of beating everyone in the Pac-10 this year,” Donnenwirth said. “There is no dominant team, so I think every game counts because anyone can beat anyone. We’re just going to try to win this game.”

The Sun Devils head into the weekend with the same plan: one game at a time.

“We’re just trying to win; that’s the mindset,” sophomore catcher Kaylyn Castillo said. “Even if you’re not playing, you’re there. You’re there for your team.”

Given the shakeup of the conference, the team realizes how important the games this weekend are not only to its record, but for establishing its prowess in the Pac-10.

The Sun Devils will square off against Cal on Friday and will take on Stanford on Saturday.

“I feel like every single game counts a lot,” Donnenwirth said. “It’s crazy how any game can be the one to put you in the number one spot, instead of being in the mix with everyone else.”

Reach the reporter at emiley.darling@asu.edu.