- Dunne and Skenes have been dating since last summer after meeting at LSU.
- Skenes is one of the highest-rated pitching prospects in the Major Leagues
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Olivia Dunne took time out of training for what will likely be her last home gymnastics meet of her LSU career to watch her boyfriend Paul Skenes pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Skenes participated in the MLB Spring Breakout, a part of spring training designed to specifically highlight the best players in the minor leagues.
Skenes started for Pittsburgh and only lasted one inning on the mound, with shorter starts expected for Spring Breakout games.
Although Skenes only managed three outs, in Baton Rouge, Dunne was wrapped in a blanket meticulously watching her boyfriend’s performance.
Skenes struck out two and did not allow a baserunner against the Orioles on Thursday.
Dunne is wrapped in a Baton Rouge blanket watching Skenes pitch against the Orioles.
Dunne and Skenes publicly confirmed their relationship last summer after he was drafted.
‘This dough is good, I’m nervous!’ Dunne said watching Skenes pitch. ‘Come on Paul!’
Dunne is also seen screaming with excitement after Skenes got one of his two strikeouts after a full count.
“He’s happy, I can tell,” Dunne added of Skenes.
Skenes, who is vying to join the Pirates’ starting rotation, is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball and the highest-rated pitching prospect, although he has never appeared in an MLB game to date.
Skenes reached the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate, Altoona Curve, last season.
The highly anticipated arrival of the 21-year-old Skenes to the Major Leagues and his help to a fledgling franchise has been compared to Stephen Strasburg’s debut with the Washington Nationals.
Skenes was the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft after a stellar career at LSU, where he met Dunne.
Dunne may be wrapping up her collegiate gymnastics career after four years at LSU
The two had long tried to keep their romance a secret, but confirmed their relationship on social media last summer.
Skenes signed a $9.2 million bonus when he joined the Pirates, plus Dunne was the highest-earning college athlete due to NIL deals.
Skenes just made his pro debut last August after being used heavily by LSU during their early summer spring season.
Dunne’s college gymnastics career is likely coming to an end, but she could decide to return in 2025, using a fifth year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the coronavirus pandemic.