WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Former University of Hartford standout David MacKinnon was named the Baseball Spring Scholar-Athlete by the America East Conference on Wednesday. The America East only awards one Scholar-Athlete award per sport and this year marks the third consecutive occasion that MacKinnon has been selected as the conference's baseball recipient.
 
MacKinnon is just the second baseball student-athlete in America East history to earn the honor in three consecutive seasons, joining Stony Brook's Tyler Johnson (2012-12). Among the 17 sports that the conference sponsors, MacKinnon is 10th student-athlete ever to accomplish that feat.
 
"We're extremely proud of Dave to see yet another accomplishment added to his resume," Hartford Head Baseball Coach Justin Blood said. "He is potentially going to go down as the most decorated student-athlete in the history of Hartford Athletics."
 
Earlier this month MacKinnon was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Division I Baseball team for the second time in his career. MacKinnon became the first America East baseball player to earn Academic All-America honors as a junior, in 2016.
 
MacKinnon graduated in May with a degree in accounting from the Barney School of Business, finishing his academic career with a 3.87 cumulative GPA. He earned President's List (3.75+ GPA) distinction six times, was named to the Dean's List once and earned America East Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition in each of his eight semesters at Hartford.
 
A first baseman, MacKinnon was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball draft earlier this month and is currently with the Orem (Utah) Owlz, in the Pioneer (Rookie) League.
 
During his final season in a Hawks uniform, MacKinnon was the only Hawk to start in all 50 games. He posted a .327 batting average, leading the team in hits (68) and runs scored (44).
 
MacKinnon finished his career as the program's all-time leader in hits (269), runs (155) and putouts (1,508). He ranks second in team history in games played (196), at-bats (750), doubles (51) and fielding percentage (.990) and ranks among the all-time top-five in total bases (343; third), walks (82; fifth) and batting average (.359; fifth).
 
To be an America East Scholar-Athlete, the student-athlete must be a starter or prominent reserve on his or her team and carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.
MacKinnon and Hartford women's soccer's Katie Connolly are both eligible for the America East Male or Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year to be announced later this summer. Connolloy, who was nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year earlier this week, earned America East Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete honors in the fall.