Olivia Dunne took time away from training for what is likely her final home gymnastics meet of her LSU career to watch boyfriend Paul Skenes pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

 

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Skenes took part in MLB’s Spring Breakout, a part of Spring Training designed to specifically highlight the best players in the minor leagues.

Skenes got the start for Pittsburgh, and only lasted an inning on the mound, with shorter starts expected for Spring Breakout games.

Although Skenes only got three outs, back in Baton Rouge, Dunne was wrapped in a blanket meticulously watching her boyfriend’s performance.

Skenes struck out two, while not allowing a base runner against the Orioles on Thursday.

 

 

Dunne is wrapped in a blanket from Baton Rouge watching Skenes pitch against the Orioles
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Dunne is wrapped in a blanket from Baton Rouge watching Skenes pitch against the Orioles

 

Dunne and Skenes publicly confirmed their relationship last summer after he was drafted

 

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Dunne and Skenes publicly confirmed their relationship last summer after he was drafted

 

 

‘This batter is good, I’m nervous!’ Dunne said watching Skenes pitch. ‘C’mon Paul!’

Dunne is also seen shouting in excitement after Skenes got one of his two strike outs after a full count.

‘He’s happy I can tell,’ Dunne added of Skenes.

Skenes, who is competing to join the Pirates starting rotation, is rated as the No 3 prospect in all of baseball, and the top-rated pitching prospect, although he’s never appeared in an MLB game to date.

Skenes made it as far as the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve, last season.

 

 

The 21-year-old Skenes highly anticipated arrival in the big leagues, and helping a fledgling franchise, has been compared to the debut of Stephen Strasburg with the Washington Nationals.

Skenes was the No 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft after a stellar career at LSU, where he met Dunne.

Dunne may be wrapping up her college gymnastics career after four years at LSU
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Dunne may be wrapping up her college gymnastics career after four years at LSU

 

 

 

The two had long tried to keep their romance under wraps, but confirmed their relationship on social media last summer.

Skenes signed a $9.2million bonus when joining the Pirates to go along with Dunne being the highest-earning female collegiate athlete due to NIL deals.

Skenes only made his professional debut last August after being used heavily by LSU during its spring-to-early-summer season.

Dunne’s college gymnastics career is likely wrapping up, but she could decide to return in 2025, using a fifth year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the coronavirus pandemic.