With a bit more than half of its regular season in the books the signs of a Dobson softball turnaround are evident.

When Mustangs coach Wayne HiIl began practice in early February he sensed -- and to some degree expected -- this group could perform a reversal. 

What evidence to substantiate a rebound from last season's sub-.500 campaign record and last-place finish in the 5A Central Region?

A couple things. Dobson is 14-3 to date having won the Dobson-Marcos de Niza Tournament in late February and finishing third recently in the Gracie Haught Invitational in Payson.

The 14 wins is two more than all of last season (the Mustangs were 12-18-1 in 2010). Two of the 14 wins are Central Region triumphs over Gilbert and Mountain View. Gilbert is the defending region champ; Dobson was 2-10 in region a year ago.

Perhaps the biggest plus is the return to health of senior pitcher Jacklin Lewis, who outside of one poor outing this season, is pitching lights out.

"She was not in the best of health last year," Hill said of his ace. "She had a bad shoulder, and tried to pitch through it. She just never was healthy. She struggled to hit her spots. This year she and (catcher) Morgan Browning have formed quite a combination. They are in synch. They give each other confidence."

Lewis said she also dealt with stomach isssues and after therapy (shoulder) and a change in medication over the summer and fall, has felt much like her oldself.

"I'd say since November I've felt pretty good," Lewis said. "This team has matured, and we've come together. We're done well. We just have to keep after it."

Lewis sports a 12-3 record and 3.17 earned-run averaged over 84 innings with 130 strikeouts. Take away one rocky outing against Horizon almost three weeks ago and her ERA would be a run less.

While Lewis is a big part of Dobson bouncing back, the Mustangs did return seven starters from a team that took its lumps in what last year was a new region setup. The inexperience and collection of solid region foes was a little more than the team was prepared for.

"When I saw the alignment and who was in our region, it didn't seem fair," Hill said. "We lost a lot of games by a run or two. It definitely was a year when our competition was tougher on a daily basis. Basha, Gilbert, Mesquite, Corona. Those programs have had a lot of success."

A core strength and conditioning program initiated in the offseason has made every player stronger, fitter. Some players have gone to extremes to better themselves and the team. An example is infielder Kaylee Bordes.

Bordes, a right-handed hitter her entire career, didn't like the way she was performing as a righty. So she switched to the left side (just three months ago).

"When I first started hitting lefty it was hard and I really was doing bad," Bordes said. "I was crying it was so frustrating. I'd starting to get the hang of it. I'm not a power hitter.  I have some speed so hitting lefty and slapping the ball is better."

Bordes is hitting .300 and was torrid in their recent tournament 10 days ago going 7-for-13.

Hill is concerned with a relatively light load of games the last two weeks. The Mustangs played 11 games between Feb. 24 and March 11 (15 days). Then came a week without games and then six games in two days (March 18-19). Last week they were idle.

Dobson (5-1 in power-point games) resumes power-point play Tuesday hosting Desert Mountain (4-0 in power-point games). Desert Mountain finished second in its tournament last week and played seven games in five days. 

"That's a lot of time not playing," Hill said. "But I think this team can handle it. They approach games with the attitude they are going to win when they step on the field. The last team I had I felt had that mindset was the 2004-2005 team. This team has great focus. If a call doesn't go their way they don't challenge it, roll their eyes or let it distract them. That kind of attitude helps you win."