Pittsburgh Pirates standout pitcher Paul Skenes recently took a well-deserved break following his commanding performance against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on Monday, where he secured his fourth win of the season.
On his day off, Skenes and his girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, were spotted relaxing on a raft on the Allegheny River, making the most of the scenic Pittsburgh backdrop.
During their leisurely day on the river, Skenes captured a cheerful moment of Dunne trying her hand at fishing.
He posted a snapshot of her wielding a fishing rod with a beaming smile to his Instagram story, where he playfully tagged her, sharing the light-hearted moment with their followers.
Both Skenes and Dunne are celebrated athletes who first crossed paths at Louisiana State University (LSU).
Their meeting came after Skenes transferred from the United States Military Academy to LSU in 2023. Dunne, a star in the gymnastics world, clinched her first NCAA gymnastics championship with the Tigers in April 2024, while Skenes had previously led the baseball team to a College World Series victory in 2023.
Following his collegiate success, Skenes made a rapid ascent in professional baseball. Drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Pirates, he received a $9.6 million signing bonus. After a brief stint in the Pirates’ single-A and double-A teams, he was promoted to start with the Indianapolis Indians, their triple-A affiliate, in 2024. His stellar performances in the minors quickly caught the attention of Pirates’ manager Derek Shelton, who promoted him to the major leagues. Since his debut in May 2024, the 22-year-old pitcher has been a dominant force on the mound.
Olivia Dunne, a supportive presence in Skenes’ career, has attended almost every game he’s pitched this season.
She was notably visible cheering him on during his recent start against the Reds, where Skenes allowed just one run and struck out seven batters, contributing significantly to the Pirates’ 4-1 victory. She also shared glimpses of her experience, posting images from the suite at PNC Park to her Snapchat stories, capturing the excitement of the game.
Looking ahead, Skenes is scheduled to pitch again in the upcoming series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays at PNC Park on Sunday, where he aims to continue his impressive rookie season trajectory.
