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For most couples, there is a drop in trust. For Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne, trust is built elsewhere.
The former LSU star gymnast traded a leotard for a bat and helmet as she helped her Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher boyfriend get some work in before spring training starts.
In a video posted to her Instagram Stories, Dunne was seen in the right-handed batter’s box defying some pitches by Skenes, who can hit triple digits with his fastball on a whim.
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Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates watches the selection show with his girlfriend Olivia Dunne during the ROY 2024 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Lucas Casel/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
While it didn’t look like Skenes was going 100%, Dunne still stood in the batter’s box and served as a practice partner for the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner while dishing out his arsenal of pitches.
“The ultimate test of trust,” Dunne captioned his post.
Dunne and Skenes have been dating since 2023, and the former has been spotted across the country watching the latter pitch as he quickly built his MLB stardom.
LIVVY DUNNE CELEBRATES PAUL SKENES’ CY YOUNG AWARD WINNING
Skenes was named the best pitcher in the National League this past season after posting a major-league-best 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts. He was named to his second All-Star team in his sophomore year, becoming the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to win the Cy Young Award after winning the Rookie of the Year Award.
Dunne celebrated his girlfriend’s latest feat at X, saying: “Cy Young Skenes has a nice ring to it.” She was also seen with friends and family celebrating Skenes winning the award during the selection show after the 2025 season.
Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Livvy Dunne pose for a photo during the 2024 All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Frutitas Agua Fresca at Globe Life Field North Plaza on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
Before Skenes enters his third MLB season, he will represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic, joining a star-studded roster for the tournament that will also feature AL Cy Young Award winner Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and reigning AL MVP New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge.
“It’s special,” Skenes told local reporters at Citi Field last season after announcing on MLB Network that he will participate in the 2026 WBC. “Growing up watching the World Baseball Classic as a kid, I never thought I’d get the opportunity to play in one. So I told myself, ‘If I got the opportunity to do it, I couldn’t pass it up.’ Here we are.”
So those bullpen reps with Dunne are crucial considering Skenes will ramp up much earlier in hopes of winning the WBC in his first go-around.
Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Livvy Dunne pose for a photo during the 2025 All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Deer Park on Battery Ave on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Skenes has been nothing short of exceptional on the mound since breaking into the league after a college career at Air Force and LSU.
He owns a career 1.96 ERA with 386 strikeouts over 320.2 innings in 55 starts.
