Rivalry weekend is approaching fast as the Weber State University softball team takes on Southern Utah University.

This weekend the Wildcats will try and maintain their lead in the Big Sky Conference against the Thunderbirds, who are currently tied for second place in the conference and want to knock them off.

For many of the girls from Utah, this game is more than just another game. Some of them grew up with players on SUU’s team.

This game means a lot to senior outfielder Malia Campos for that very reason. Particularly, because this may be her last time playing SUU.

“A lot of us on the team have grown up playing with and against a lot of the girls on SUU,” Campos said. “So it’s always fun competing and playing against them.”

Coach Mary Kay Amicone feels that her team needs to just treat this as another game. She knows it’s going to be a highly competitive game, especially since the team is currently tied for first.

Campos also feels it’s important for the team to remain calm and just treat this as another game.

“These games are just as important as any other game, if we want to stay in competition for the top spot in conference,” Campos said. “These wins are important, especially being tied for first place with two other teams.”

As much as the team may need to treat this as just another game, it’s hard for them not to think about the rivalry. Mainly because they lost two of their three games against the Thunderbirds, but also because Southern Utah won the conference tournament last season.

“They won the conference last year and we should have beat them but a few costly errors eventually lost us the game,” said sophomore outfielder Katelyn Robinson. “On top of that they just beat Sacramento State, who are currently tied with us and Idaho State for first. So we have to beat SUU.”

For any home team, a key component to a victory is fan attendance. Campos feels it is important for students to come out and give an extra boost to the team in this important contest.

“Fan attendance is always great. We love having a great crowd to cheer us on, especially with tough competition it really gives us the upper hand,” said Campos “I would like to say to all our fans to come out and support us. We would love to have you and it’s always a fun time coming to games.”

The Wildcats (26-13, 7-2 conference) will host the Thunderbirds (12-22, 4-5 conference) on Friday and Saturday afternoon. The games will start at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, with the Saturday game beginning at 12 p.m.