Paul Skenes stepping back onto the mound this spring signaled far more than just another Grapefruit League outing.
The Pittsburgh Pirates ace, fresh off a Cy Young winning season, faced live hitters for the first time this year in Florida, offering the clearest indication yet that baseball’s next chapter is beginning.
In the stands, Olivia Dunne watched closely, and her reaction quickly became part of the story.
Dunne, a former LSU gymnastics standout and one of the most recognizable figures in college athletics before her retirement, attended the Pirates‘ game against the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park in North Port.
After Skenes fired a strike past a Braves hitter, she shared a clip on Instagram with the caption, “We’re so back baby,” tagging her boyfriend and igniting a wave of excitement among fans eager to see him dominate again.
For Skenes, the appearance was less about statistics and more about progress. He pitched 2.1 innings, striking out four while surrendering one run on a single hit.
Control proved to be the main issue, as he walked four batters during the outing, a reminder that even elite pitchers often need time to find their rhythm in February.
Signs of dominance remain despite early rust
Despite the command issues, Skenes still displayed the overpowering arsenal that made him nearly unhittable last season. His fastball reached 99 mph, a reassuring figure for the Pirates as they build toward Opening Day.
After the game, the 26 year old acknowledged the inconsistencies while emphasizing the purpose of early spring work.
“Just gotta be tighter, basically, with everything,” Skenes said. “Obviously, you got to throw the ball in the strike zone to get them out. Challenge system or not, I didn’t do a very good job of that today. But, we’ll adjust.”
That adjustment period is crucial, particularly with Skenes expected to anchor Pittsburgh‘s rotation and potentially represent Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Last season, he established himself as one of baseball’s most dominant starters, compiling a microscopic 1.97 ERA along with 216 strikeouts and a WHIP under 1.00.
Dunne support amplifies the moment
While Skenes‘ performance was the primary focus on the field, Dunne‘s presence highlighted how closely the pair’s public lives are intertwined. The two met at LSU, where both became national stars in different sports.
Since stepping away from gymnastics in 2025, Dunne has frequently attended his games and shared moments from the stands with her large social media following.
Her posts often travel well beyond baseball circles, drawing casual fans into the conversation and amplifying attention around Skenes‘ outings.
This latest message quickly circulated online, reinforcing the sense that his return represents one of the most anticipated storylines of the Pirates‘ season.
Spring training results rarely determine what will happen over the course of a long campaign, but the combination of elite velocity, proven dominance, and visible confidence suggests Skenes remains firmly on track.
If his command sharpens over the coming weeks, Pittsburgh will once again have one of the sport’s most intimidating arms leading its rotation.
For now, the Pirates can take comfort in a simple truth. Their ace is healthy, throwing hard, and already drawing excitement both inside the ballpark and far beyond it.
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