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Minster's Louis Magoto has been a dominant pitcher in the area this season, pitching two no-hitters in the postseason, including a 3-0 performance over Montpelier last Friday to send the Wildcats back to the state final four for the first time since 2019.
When talking about Louis Magoto after his second no-hitter of the postseason in Friday's 3-0 win over Montpelier in the regional final, Minster coach Mike Wiss talked about his pitcher's discipline.
The discipline of Magoto has not only made him successful on the diamond as the Wildcats will play for their fourth state title in 14 years starting Thursday in the Division VII semifinals at Akron's Canal Park, but has led to his appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, where Magoto will report for training at the end of the month.
"It's much more than discipline," said Magoto. "(It's) visualization. It's doing the hard things that a lot of other people don't want to do."
That focus has made Magoto a two-sport standout, having helped the Minster golf team, coached by his father Jeremy, reach four straight Division III state tournaments, and of course, what he does on the diamond.
"Once I have a goal, there's not much stopping me from getting it," said Magoto. "All my focus is towards that."
Having his father and mother - Minster girls track and cross country coach Jessie - as coaches also has helped when it comes to focus.
"Through my last golf season, Dad has been a big part. Golf is one of the mentally toughest sports out there," said Magoto. "He's been talking to me through that. That's a big part. In golf, I like to say 'One swing at a time.' That translates into baseball."
On the diamond, Magoto, a two-time All-Midwest Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, did not allow an earned run before a loss to Marion Local on May 17. That, and a 1-0 loss to Coldwater, are the only blemishes on his record this season as he stands at 8-2. In 62 innings this season, Magoto has allowed just four earned runs - 10 total runs - for a 0.45 earned run average. His WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) is at 0.73 (28 hits, 17 walks) with 93 strikeouts.
His postseason has been spectacular. After no-hitting Temple Christian in the sectional, Magoto outdueled Delphos St. John's Cam Elwer 1-0 to win the regional title. In the regional semifinal against New Riegel, Magoto came on to get the final out in a 9-8 win. Then came the 82-pitch, 10-strikeout performance against Montpelier.
"It's definitely an increase in focus," said Magoto. "(In the postseason), every game means so much more. I don't think about it during the games, but I do think that every game could be my last game, especially as a senior. I'm a lot more focused. I want it a lot more."
When not pitching, Magoto plays second base, batting .374 with 27 RBI and 25 runs scored with just 11 strikeouts in 99 at-bats. This week, Magoto was named first team All-Ohio by the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association.
With his move to West Point coming up, Magoto wants to make sure that his last game is the last game of the season, and a victory.
"It goes hand-in-hand," said Magoto about balancing his baseball play and getting ready for the academy. "Staying disciplined with workouts and running. It also helps with my baseball to stay sharp mentally and have that mental toughness."
