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Olivia Dunne Flies 845 Miles to Cheer for MLB Boyfriend Paul Skenes After LSU Award Night

Published 05/05/2024, 3:57 PM EDT

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Even though Paul Skenes‘ call-up to the major leagues is still a long way off, he is nonetheless creating ripples in the maelstrom of minor-league domination and big-league hopes. Olivia Dunne, his girlfriend and social media celebrity, is a rock of support for the emerging baseball star.

The athletic couple were last seen supporting each other and enjoying their collegiate success at the LSU Award Night on April 30, Tuesday. And now, Olivia Dunne, also known as Livvy, traveled 845 miles to be by her man’s side ahead of when the Major League Baseball 40-men roster is to be announced.

Olivia Dunne on girlfriend duties

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Paul Skenes, LSU’s top prospect in MLB, has been making headlines in the minor leagues with his excellent play, earning him the season’s great pitchers label behind Stephen Strasburg. Skenes is definitely a force to be reckoned with, hurling pitches exceeding 100 mph regularly and boasting a stunning ERA.

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Throughout his professional journey, Livvy has been his biggest supporter as the anticipation builds for his Major League debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fresh off her victory at the LSU gymnastics national, Livvy shared a mirror selfie on Snapchat showing her location ‘Indianapolis’, presumably to witness the Major’s magic and encourage Skenes.

When Skenes received recognition last month at the LSU Awards night for his crucial contribution to the LSU Tigers’ NCAA baseball championship triumph, Dunne rushed to Snapchat to express her joy. He was selected first overall in the 2023 MLB draft due to his outstanding collegiate performance, and securing a record-breaking signing bonus of $9.2 million.

With the LSU Tigers winning her first NCAA championship, Dunne is enjoying her own success while Skenes prepares for his Major League debut. The LSU couple regarded as one of the most influential couples in collegiate sports, took time out of their busy schedules to explore Omaha, Nebraska post-LSU title wins.

Their combined impact extends beyond their respective sports, with Skenes receiving the largest signing bonus in Big League history and Livvy being the richest female NIL deals earner in the NCAA. Their love, ambition, and unrelenting support for one another continue to drive their relationship as they wait for Skenes to make his much-anticipated Major League debut.

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MLB roster manifestation is now stronger for Paul Skenes

Speaking on his radio program, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington stressed the value of Skenes’ impending starts and his consistent progress, indicating a turning point in his career. Skenes is playing his season’s seventh Triple-A today, locking down a highly-coveted roster position with the Pirates with every game, setting himself up for success on the grand stage.

Noting his appearance Cherington said, “It’s the first time as a professional that he’ll be starting a game on four days rest. It may not seem like a big deal but it’s the first time it’ll happen. He’s been checking just about every box since the season started.”

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With stellar stats, Skenes is up to the mark for the major leagues. His steady play throughout six games indicates that he is a top prospect for bettors and is likely to have a significant influence on the Pirates. Olivia Dunne’s backing for Paul Skenes throughout their journey is evidence of the rare-sighted strength of love in the sports industry.

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Written by:

Divya Purohit

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Divya Purohit is a senior Olympics Sports writer for EssentiallySports. She majorly covers gymnastics, alpine skiing, and horse racing. While bringing the detailed stats of gymnastics to the American readers, she covered two prominent events - the 2023 Xfinity Gymnastics Championships, and the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
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Edited by:

Sampurna Pal