Ault Finds Right Home At East Tennessee State

Mason Ault C / 3B / Ancaster, ON / 2024

HAMILTON, Ontario - Mason Ault was uncertain where he fit in when it came to college baseball.

“Right when I started high school I didn’t know how possible it would be,” the Ancaster High School senior admitted. “I started watching Tennessee Vols baseball and the atmosphere and support they had was bigger than here. That motivated me to want to do this and it hasn’t stopped. We got there.”

Ironically, same state but different college for Ault, who is now an East Tennessee State commit.

“They saw me at a couple tournaments in the summer and at a PBR showcase,” related the fourth-rated 2024 catcher in Ontario, who will be going to college as a 2025 following an upcoming gap year. “They followed me in the fall and I went on a visit. I took a second visit and knew when I was there it checked all the boxes. It was just the right place.”

An offer came in October and Ault made it official on Dec. 9.

“There is a whole town there supporting the team,” Ault pointed out about what stood out with ETS. “It’s a beautiful city right in the mountains, everything is super nice. One of the biggest things was the location being in Tennessee and the mountains. Also, the coaching staff was super welcoming. Coach (Joe) Pennucci, the head coach, was at Stony Brook and went to the World Series (in 2012) with them.”

That was enough for Ault to believe it was the perfect place to go to school, with Oakland and Georgia State others being considered by the 34th-ranked 2024 in Ontario, who is confident about making an impact at the Southern Conference university.

“When I get there I think I can provide them with a consistent hitter, and definitely a guy they can rely on defensively,” Ault explained. “Someone who works with pitchers, that’s a key attribute. A guy they can rely on every day to win and that wants to win.”

There was a lot about the 6-0 175-pounder that impressed East Tennessee State.

“The biggest thing was my defense, that was the case with most of the schools,” Ault noted. “Also, being consistent in all aspects, being a consistent producer and being consistent behind the plate. They talked about needing a leader behind the plate.”

Catching is something that Ault takes pride in.

“Pretty much from the start I’ve been a catcher,” Ault reflected. “I like the control, being in every play, the constant strategy of calling pitches, back picks, throwing out runners. You’ve got to be ready every play.”

Ault pointed to a number of people, including Baseball Canada, that have been influential in helping get to the point of being an ETS commit.

“The biggest thing for me are my teammates,” Ault said. “I’ve always been around great teammates that push me to be better to even believe this is possible. Matt Sargeant, who is now at North Dakota State, when he was a senior and I was a sophomore, took me in and showed me what I have to do to get to this level.”

To finally become a Division I commit was “pretty surreal” according to Ault.

“It didn’t set in for a couple of days, not until I got home,” related Ault, who committed while he was in Tennessee. “In talking to the coaches, (Chad) Marshall and Pennucci, I was nervous at first but once it all set in I was sure it was where I wanted to go.”

A major in business, sport management or sports medicine is being considered by Ault, a 3.43 student excited about a future at the university located in Johnson City, Tenn., 101/2 hours from home.

“It’s going to be fun playing for a team and wanting to win every single day,” concluded Ault, who turned 17 on Dec. 6. “To win is the main goal. Playing for a fan base that rallies around the team will be great. I’m also looking forward to having a routine, doing the same thing every day around a group of guys that want to get better and want to win.”