Paul Skenes showcased his pitching prowess during spring training in Florida, and his girlfriend Olivia Dunne was there to show her support.
The standout Pirates prospect, drafted as the top pick last year, delivered an impressive performance against the Orioles on Thursday afternoon. Skenes, 21, hit a remarkable 102 mph on his fastball and pitched a flawless 1-2-3 inning in the Pirates’ 9-8 loss in Sarasota, Florida.
One of the game’s highlights occurred in his first at-bat against top Orioles prospect Jackson Holliday, where Skenes induced a groundout with a triple-digit fastball on just the second pitch. He followed up with two fly outs to cap off the spotless 10-pitch inning.
Dunne took to her Instagram Story to share a video of Skenes’ impressive performance, captioning it “something slight,” in a clear nod to his exceptional fastball velocity.
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Reflecting on his outing, Skenes emphasized the importance of pitching in front of a live audience, acknowledging the role of adrenaline in his performance.
Meanwhile, Dunne, who made an appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Thursday, spoke about her relationship with Skenes during her interview, highlighting their compatibility and Skenes’ steady demeanor.
The couple, who made their relationship public last summer after Skenes joined the Pirates, have enjoyed some light-hearted moments together, including playful exchanges on social media. In one recent TikTok video, Dunne jokingly informed Skenes of a fictional endorsement deal involving an underwater oil rig, to which Skenes responded with unwavering support.
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last summer, Skenes opened up about the challenges and joys of their relationship, acknowledging the occasional difficulties of navigating public attention. Nevertheless, both Skenes and Dunne continue to support each other as Skenes prepares for his anticipated debut in the big leagues.
