On March 27, 2025, a white man with a full beard walked out of the LoanDepot Park, donning a black T-shirt with a gold “P” on the left chest, and gray pants. That man was none other than Paul Skenes, who walked out to pitch against the Miami Marlins. Though they lost, the Pittsburgh Pirates tasted quite a star power that showed up for their support. Olympian gymnast Aly Raisman and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Xandra Pohl accompanied number 30’s girlfriend Olivia Dunne. But why was she screaming before every pitch Paul made?

What comes to your mind when you hear the name Olivia Dunne? An LSU senior. A star gymnast. A social media influencer with whooping 5.3 million followers on her Instagram, let’s see, and what else, somebody who’s over-hated? A part of a cross-sport power couple. There, let’s park the bus. Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes have been together since the summer of 2023 and their love has only blossomed with each coming spring. Now when your boyfriend is playing his only second season in Major League Baseball, your nerves are going to be tense. As for Dunne, she has a ritual for that. What could that be?

Every time Paul dons on the pirate jersey to loot the opposition of some home runs, while pulling the mitt onto his left hand and going out there in MLB, Dunne goes through an identity shift. The superstar gymnast becomes baseball’s highest-profile superfan. GG.com reported on the second of April that the 22-year-old had a mic on for the TV broadcast when Paul earned the start at the All-Star Game. This was the 2024 Pirates match against the Yankees.

The mic caught one of the superstitions Dunne follows before every game. She was caught saying, “Before every pitch I have to yell,” and guess what’s the next thing she did? She screamed, “Let’s go, Paul,“. So the next time you are watching Paul throw those pitches at his opponents and hear every loud cheer from the stands, know that it is none other than his girlfriend.

Interestingly, other than cheering for him from the stands, she also teams up with her dog. The 2024 NCAA champion has an ‘English Cream’ golden retriever named Roux alongside who she watches MLB starts of Paul on the MLB app. The support these two have for each other is truly commendable.

When Paul was making his debut on May 11, 2024 on the biggest stage for baseball, Dunne was found in the stands. “I just have the most confidence in him ever, so I trust in him and what he’s put in, and I’m just so excited.” She had said back then. Paying her back, the pirates’ pitcher was there for Dunne’s final Gymnastics 101 exhibition. These meets get more special for them since they are in a long distance relationship.

Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes’ long-distance relationship

2023, Olivia Dunne, Paul Skenes, LSU campus; love blossomed, and before you, the two were dating each other. But the two were also at the top of their game. Paul found the door to MLB, and Pittsburgh Pirates were the key. Ever since then, the couple has built themselves as one of the tops in what they do while finding time for each other as well.

The two of them celebrated the Christmas of 2023 in the warm embrace of each other’s hug. Despite the 1,148.4 miles distance, Dunne flew to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for vacations. They were holding hands in the All-Star Show in Dallas in June’24 and September was when the two celebrated Paul’s All-Star honor. In November 2024, they attended a Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens game at Acrisure Stadium. Steelers won that one.

In February 2025, as Oliva recovered from her injury and Paul had an off-season, the two took another holiday. But this long-distance might end soon. In a post shared by Dunne in February, she said, “Me laughing til I remember I’m doing long distance until my season is over.” If that gives off a sad tone, that is because she would have to leave LSU.

What do you think about the power couple? Let us know in the comments below!