Paul Skenes’ girlfriend Olivia Dunne grabs attention with sweet message as Pirates ace returns to the mound in Florida

Paul Skenes began a new chapter of his season under the Florida sun, taking the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a spring training game that carried more meaning than the final score.

The young ace, coming off a Cy Young-winning 2025 campaign, faced live hitters in a game setting for the first time this year. While the Pirates fell short on the scoreboard, the outing marked an important step in Skenes’ buildup toward another demanding MLB season. In the stands at CoolToday Park, one familiar face drew attention as well. Olivia Dunne was there, once again showing steady support for her boyfriend.The Pirates met the Atlanta Braves in North Port, Florida, as part of Grapefruit League action.

For Skenes, the afternoon was about rhythm and command rather than results. He pitched 2.1 innings, recorded four strikeouts, allowed one hit and one earned run, and issued four walks. The Braves won the game 3 to 1, but the focus for Pittsburgh remained on their ace’s progress. Spring training is designed for adjustments, and Skenes used the outing to test his stuff in live competition.

Paul Skenes throws 2.1 innings with four strikeouts against the Braves as Olivia Dunne watches and shares her reaction online

Last season, Skenes proved he belongs among baseball’s top pitchers.

He finished 2025 with a 10 and 10 record, a sharp 1.97 ERA, 216 strikeouts, and a 0.95 WHIP. Those numbers showed how hard it was for hitters to square him up. Even when the Pirates did not always give him run support, he kept games under control.In this spring appearance, the strikeout ability was still clear. Olivia Dunne attended the game and posted a clip on her Instagram story after Skenes fired in a strike. She wrote, “We’re so back baby,” and tagged him in the post.

The simple message quickly caught fans’ attention online.Dunne and Skenes began dating during their time at LSU, where both were standout athletes. While Skenes made his MLB debut in 2024 and rose quickly into a frontline starter, Dunne announced her retirement from gymnastics in 2025. Even after stepping away from competition, she continues to support him publicly and often shares moments from games.As the Pirates prepare for the regular season, Skenes remains the centerpiece of their rotation plans. His spring numbers may not define the year ahead, but his presence on the mound sets the tone. With steady support from Dunne and confidence built from last season’s success, he looks ready to lead Pittsburgh into another competitive campaign.