“Big fan here 🙋🏼‍♀️.” Those three little words from Olivia Dunne on her best friend’s Instagram post in February weren’t about gymnastics. Nope, this wasn’t about celebrating LSU’s achievements on the mat. Instead, the post, captioned “luv month 💌🌷”, was all about cherishing friendship—the kind of bond built both on and off the gym floor. And Olivia? She was all for it, loving the sweet gesture from her bestie in Baton Rouge. Fast forward a month, and that same best friend found another reason to celebrate—this time, for someone Olivia holds very close to her heart. Wondering, who?

Enter Paul Skenes, Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend and the rising MLB star. On March 27, Skenes marked a major milestone: his first Opening Day start. And it came with an extra layer of prestige—he was named the MLBPA Player Representative for his team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. To top it off, the Pirates hosted a special event on X (formerly Twitter), giving fans the chance to win a baseball signed by the pitcher himself. It was shaping up to be a memorable day. But where was Olivia?

The LSU Tigers gymnastics senior had a special way to celebrate Paul’s big game against the Miami Marlins. However, her BFF, Haleigh Bryant, also wasn’t about to let the moment slip by unnoticed. On Instagram, Skenes shared a post today ahead of the game, marking his career-defining start. And in a show of support, Haleigh swooped into the comment section with two simple but fiery words: “Go Paul🔥.” No lengthy tribute. No drawn-out message. Just two simple words packed with pride, support, and a spark of LSU energy. Although Olivia had a surprise in the scene, her best friend made certain Skenes knew the Tiger squad was cheering for him from Baton Rouge. So, is it acceptable? Why not? But don’t you want to know what Olivia Dunne had in store to celebrate the big day? 

Haleigh Bryant may not have made it to Miami to watch Paul Skenes’ Opening Day debut in person, but Olivia Dunne wasn’t alone in the stands. Instead, she brought some serious star power along with her. Cheering from the stadium were none other than gymnastics legend Aly Raisman and DJ Xandra, who joined Livvy to support Paul on his big day. And the social media star made sure to document every bit of it. How?

After the game, Olivia took to her Instagram story, giving fans a glimpse of the unforgettable day. She kicked things off with a box-seat selfie, flashing a bright smile with the caption: “hooray for opening day ⚾” But that wasn’t all. She also shared a fun snap of the trio—herself, Aly, and Xandra—smiling from ear to ear, captioning it: “big Paul fans.” And while the crowd buzzed with excitement, Paul made sure to share a few special moments with his biggest supporters. Before the game, he met the trio in the mixed zone, taking photos and enjoying a pre-game celebration. Smiles, laughter, and a whole lot of pride filled the air. But beyond the heartwarming snapshots and Instagram-worthy moments, how did Paul’s big day actually go on the field?

Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend’s day was not all about wins

Paul Skenes didn’t just make his Opening Day debut—he made history. The 22-year-old flamethrower became the youngest Pirates pitcher to start a season opener since Frank Killen did it way back in 1893—yes, the 1800s. Talk about a throwback!

And the reigning Rookie of the Year showed exactly why he earned that title. Skenes came out dealing, looking sharp and confident in the first start of his second big-league season. He cruised through the first five innings, keeping the Miami Marlins on their heels with a mix of blistering fastballs and nasty off-speed pitches. Over 5.1 innings, Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend allowed just two runs on three hits and racked up seven strikeouts. But things got a little rocky in the sixth inning. 

After dominating early, Paul issued back-to-back walks, putting runners on and bringing his outing to an end. Despite the brief hiccup, it was a strong and promising start for the Pirates’ young ace. The final score told one story—the Pirates lost the game to the Miami Marlins in a 4-5 scoreline. And Skenes’ performance told another story: This kid is the real deal!