Some kids just get it.

Colin McKee is one of them.

The Butler graduate and sophomore right-handed pitcher at Mercyhurst University has learned how to overcome adversity, bide his time and take advantage of opportunity when it arrives.

Sounds like a blueprint for success in life.

McKee has become the closer on the Mercyhurst pitching staff this spring, compiling five saves and a 3.86 earned run average.

Through 18.2 innings pitched, he’s struck out 26, walked only six and has allowed opposing hitters a paltry .226 batting average.

In addition, McKee is carrying a 3.9 grade point average as a bio-chemistry major at Mercyhurst.

“He’s got the stamina to be a starting pitcher for us down the road, but he’s got a closer’s mentality and the physical tools to go with it,” Mercyhurst coach Joe Spano said at the PSAC Baseball Tournament this weekend at Kelly Automotive Park.

“I can even see Colin having (major league) draft potential as a relief pitcher in a year or two.”

That all remains to be seen, of course.

None of McKee’s current success would be happening without his demonstration of perseverance and patience in earlier years.

McKee was a catcher until age 12. A broken leg incurred while playing soccer ended his playing of that position.

So he switched to pitcher.

Then he couldn’t pitch.

His junior year at Butler, McKee was stuck behind Mick Fennell and Tyler Slepski in the Golden Tornado rotation. He saw some action, but not as many innings as the guys in front of him.

Signing with Mercyhurst, McKee joined another pitching-deep team. One of 19 arms on the staff, he threw all of one-third of an inning as a freshman last spring.

McKee was touched for five hits and three runs in that outing — equating to a not-so-flattering ERA of over 99.0.

No worries.

Nobody’s touched him since.

One of the anchors on Saxonburg’s Eagle County League baseball team last summer, McKee was 4-0 with an ERA of 0.58 at one point.

When he returned to college, it was an assignment to the bullpen — and taking advantage of more opportunity.

“Every time I turn around, Colin wants the baseball,” Spano said. “He’s always ready to pitch. I love that kid.”

Sporting a 6-foot-3 frame, McKee’s arm is still relatively fresh and his potential continues to expand as he continues to excel.

And he’s done all of it while excelling in the classroom with a challenging major, setting up his future while enjoying the game he loves.

The next time a young athlete suffers an injury or doesn’t feel like he’s getting the playing time he needs or deserves, he should look at this kid.

Just keep on plugging, keep on working, keep on building.

That’s the Colin McKee way.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle