PITT 8 PREVIEW: Kiowa prepping for Pitt 8 action

Mar. 30—The Cowboys are looking to ride their way to a title.

Kiowa is preparing for action at the 2024 Pitt 8 Conference Tournament in Stuart, looking to make their mark in the latest edition of the tournament.

The Cowboys finished as the third place team with a win over Indianola last spring, and were a state tournament semifinalist in the fall. Now this spring, they are aiming for a return to the conference championship game — with the last appearance coming in 2022.

Kiowa's had to battle the weather just like the rest of the conference, but the Cowboys have seen plenty of success to start the season — earning a top five ranking in Class B. The Cowboys have also been able to see several Pitt 8 teams so far this season, with wins over Savanna and Haileyville, as well as an extra-innings battle with also-top five ranked Stuart.

The Cowboys have also earned wins over talent from around southeast Oklahoma, with victories over Vanoss, Caney, and Talihina.

As a team, the Cowboys have earned a combined batting average of .312 and more than 58 RBIs at the plate so far this season, with Shooter Boatright leading the way with 14 and Noah Foris following with 11. On the mound, the pitching efforts of the Kiowa staff have combined for more than 48 strikeouts on the year.

The second-seed Cowboys will open the 2024 Pitt 8 Conference Tournament on Thursday against the Haileyville Warriors.