Olivia Dunne Visits Pittsburgh With Paul Skenes After Call Up

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a significant move by calling up right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes for a start in Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.

His girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, an LSU gymnast and SI Swimsuit model with over 12 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, has been enthusiastically promoting the new Pirates pitcher ever since.

Interestingly, the couple received the life-changing news after taking a restful nap.

Following the announcement, Dunne shared a video capturing the couple’s genuine and heartwarming reaction to Skenes’ call-up, providing fans with an intimate glimpse into their excitement and joy.

The TikTok video capturing Dunne’s heartwarming reaction to Skenes’ call-up has become a viral sensation, amassing an impressive 313,000 likes and garnering over 2.5 million views.

The 21-year-old pitcher’s promotion to the majors comes on the heels of an outstanding performance in Triple-A, where he showcased his talent by striking out an impressive 45 batters while allowing only three runs over 27⅓ innings.

The former LSU Tigers standout was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and inked a lucrative deal worth $9.2 million.

Skenes’ remarkable career at LSU further solidified his status as a top prospect. During his junior season, he demonstrated his dominance on the mound by tallying an impressive 209 strikeouts in 122⅔ innings, while issuing just 20 walks. He finished the season with a stellar 13-2 record and an outstanding 1.69 ERA, solidifying his reputation as one of the most promising young pitchers in the game.

Fans of Dunne and Skenes flooded the comments section with messages of support and excitement for the baseball star’s call-up.

One fan expressed their admiration for Skenes, describing him as their inspiration and expressing their eagerness to receive recognition from him, showcasing the impact he has on aspiring young athletes.

Another supporter conveyed their excitement, affirming that nobody is more deserving of this opportunity than Skenes, highlighting the widespread admiration and respect he has earned within the fan community.

A third follower echoed the sentiments of many others, expressing anticipation for Skenes’ debut and viewing him as a potential savior for the franchise. They conveyed their love and support for Skenes, emphasizing the enthusiastic welcome awaiting him as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.

Later that day, Dunne documented their visit to Pittsburgh through photos, capturing the excitement of their trip to PNC Park following the news of Skenes’ call-up.

This behind-the-scenes glimpse into their day provided fans with a closer look at their shared journey and the thrilling moments leading up to Skenes’ debut in the major leagues.

Last August, Skenes officially confirmed his relationship with Dunne, also 21, after months of swirling rumors. In doing so, he opened up about the experience of being in a relationship with a social media sensation.

“It can be a pain in the butt sometimes, to be honest, in terms of actually going somewhere,” he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “If one of us went out in Baton Rouge [La.] by ourselves, there’s probably gonna be someone there asking for something — picture, autograph, whatever.”

Skenes emphasized that Dunne possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and demands associated with being both an athlete and a celebrity.

“It’s nice to be able to have that conversation. She does get it,” he shared. “I do wish she could come to a baseball game and just enjoy it. It does irk me. I don’t have any control over it. She really doesn’t either. I’m sure it’ll get better as I go up levels, but that’s something I want for her.”