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6 months ago
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Olivia Dunne lavished praise on her boyfriend Paul Skenes as she watched him begin his Major League Baseball career in impressive fashion on Saturday afternoon.
Pittsburgh's game against the Chicago Cubs was nicknamed 'Skenes Day' as the No. 1 overall prospect made his first start in the big leagues, and Dunne was on hand to watch the action unfold from the stands.
In the third inning, the LSU gymnastics star - decked out in a personalized Skenes jacket - was interviewed by Sportsnet Pittsburgh live on air, and she was full of admiration for her other half.
'I had some nerves creep in at first, but I've kind of channeled it into excitement rather than nerves, and I just have the most confidence in him ever,' she began. 'I just trust in him, and what he's put in, and I'm just so excited.
'It's amazing, the support here is awesome. Pittsburgh has been so welcoming. Just seeing people wearing Air Force stuff, LSU stuff, Skenes jerseys.'
Olivia Dunne (right) watches on as her boyfriend Paul Skenes makes his MLB debut Saturday
Dunne joined the live TV broadcast to heap praise on her boyfriend during his big day
Dunne said she was nervous but had managed to channel it into excitement for Skenes' debut
Skenes was hit for a solo home run but otherwise enjoyed a very impressive first outing
Opening up on the moment Skenes got the call to join the Pirates in the majors, Dunne added: 'All I can say is I think that's the quickest I've ever packed in my life.
'We woke up from a nap, he had a few missed calls, and he got called up. He was like, "let's pack" and then we hit the road. It was very exciting!
'I have so many amazing memories with him, but I know how hard he's worked for this moment. This is probably one of my favorite moments I've ever seen, seriously, there's nothing that can top this. I'm just so proud!'
On the field, Skenes enjoyed a seriously impressive debut on the mound, despite being hit for a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning.
In the crowd, fans held up signs for both Skenes and Dunne - baseball's newest power couple
Dunne even had a Skenes pin badge on her top as she showed support for her boyfriend
Skenes delivers a pitch in the first inning of his major league career for the Pittsburgh Pirates
He also threw seven strikeouts over his first four innings in the major leagues, as Pittsburgh stretched into a 6-1 lead.
He was pulled in the fifth and was given a standing ovation from the crowd - immediately after they booed the decision to take him out of the game.
The right-hander burst into the national consciousness last year, while at Louisiana State University, where he was named D1 National Player of the Year and won the College World Series.
The 6ft 6ins pitcher has been under the microscope since long before his call-up to the major leagues, thanks to his performances on the mound - and his relationship with Dunne.
The couple, who met at LSU, first went public with their romance in August last year
The LSU gymnast wore a jacket in Pirates colors with the pitcher's name on the sleeve
The social media sensation celebrated her boyfriend's call up to the majors this week
Skenes turned heads with his performances in the minors, where he added new weapons to his arsenal en route to recording a 0.99 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 27 1/3 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis.
He recently allowed his first ever home run in a pro baseball game while pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates' Triple-A affiliate.
Skenes, 21, gave up a solo home run to Buffalo outfielder Will Robertson - a Toronto Blue Jays prospect - in the fifth inning of an 8-3 win for the Indianapolis Indians on Sunday against the Bisons.
Skenes has been branded by some as the top pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg. Dunne, meanwhile, helped LSU win a national championship in her senior year.
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