Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne’s fate intertwined in an unexpected way when Dunne realized she attended Skenes’ very first college baseball game without recognizing it. This discovery came to light recently as Dunne learned that her history with the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher stretches back further than she thought, highlighting an uncanny coincidence involving her attendance at a game where Skenes was pitching.
Olivia Dunne initially believed that she had only supported Skenes after he transferred to LSU in 2022. However, her mother, Katherine, while sorting through Dunne’s belongings at their New Jersey home, stumbled upon a ticket from Dunne’s very first college baseball game. To Dunne’s surprise, it turned out to be a matchup between LSU and the Air Force Falcons, with Skenes pitching for the Falcons that day.
“Invisible strings are real,” she said. “So right now, I’m in Jersey, and my mom is moving stuff out of my house in Louisiana for me. And as we know, I was in college for five years. I have a lot of stuff in my house. Then my mom finds this — it’s a ticket to the LSU vs. Air Force baseball game. And Paul was on Air Force’s team. That was my first college baseball game ever, and I didn’t even know him.”
“Like, that is crazy. I always knew he played LSU, but I never thought I was at that game,” Dunne added. “Like, I didn’t know I was there — and I went to that game! That is just wild to me. I don’t know — it was meant to be.”
Paul Skenes’ Journey Before Joining LSU and Meeting Olivia Dunne
Before transferring to LSU, Paul Skenes made his mark playing two seasons with the Air Force Falcons, where he excelled as a two-way player. His choice to attend Air Force aligned with a family legacy of military service, as both his uncles served in the Navy and Coast Guard.
During his freshman year, Skenes showcased remarkable versatility by playing multiple positions, including first base, catcher, and designated hitter, in addition to his role as a closer. His performance was outstanding, with a batting line of .410/.486/.697, 11 home runs, and 11 saves, making him the only Division I player to achieve double digits in both home runs and saves.
His freshman season earned him significant accolades, such as Freshman of the Year in the Mountain West Conference, first-team All-American honors, and selection to the USA Collegiate National Team. In 2022, Skenes was appointed team captain, leading Air Force to its first Mountain West Conference championship and the program’s first NCAA regional appearance since 1969. That year, he kept his ERA under 2.00 and hit 13 home runs, culminating in winning the John Olerud Award for the nation’s top two-way player.
Final Season at LSU and Beginnings of a Personal Relationship
For his final college season, Skenes transferred to the LSU Tigers, where he connected with Olivia Dunne. His transition to LSU marked a turning point both professionally and personally, as he not only helped lead LSU to a College World Series championship but also began dating Dunne, who has gained fame as a social media personality.
His achievements on the mound and at the plate attracted attention from major league scouts, ultimately resulting in Skenes being selected first overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. The serendipitous link between his early playing days and Dunne’s first collegiate baseball game offers a reflective moment on how their paths had crossed unknowingly long before their official relationship began.
What This Connection Means for Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne
The revelation that Olivia Dunne attended Paul Skenes’ first college baseball game without realizing it adds a layer of destiny to their relationship and career journeys. It highlights how seemingly small moments can foreshadow significant future connections. For fans of both Skenes, now a Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, and Dunne, a public figure, this coincidence offers a heartwarming story of fate and timing.
As Skenes embarks on his professional MLB career and Dunne continues to grow her influence, this story adds depth to their personal narrative, demonstrating how resilience and unexpected events can shape life paths. Their intertwined history, from that first game to Skenes’ draft as a top pick, sets an intriguing foundation for what lies ahead both on and off the field.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has anyone found the Paul Skenes card?
A. An 11-year-old from California discovered a unique Paul Skenes baseball card. The Pittsburgh Pirates are offering 30 years of home plate season tickets for it.
Q. What is special about Paul Skenes?
A. Skenes uses a variety of pitches, including a four-seamer, splitter, sweeper, sinker, slider, changeup, and curveball. His four-seamer and splitter are the ones he relies on most. The splitter stands out because it’s a mix of a splitter and sinker, often called a “splinker.”
Q. Did anyone find Paul Skenes’ patch card?
A. Excitement over Skenes led collectors to eagerly search for his unique rookie card. An 11-year-old Dodgers fan in Los Angeles discovered it on Christmas morning. The Pirates promised a reward to whoever found the Skenes card.
Q. What’s special about Paul Skenes?
A. I think he’s the only regular starting pitcher this season who hasn’t allowed a run in the first inning of every game. Alternatively, he might have the highest number of starts without giving up a run in the first inning. I believe the number is 22. Matt Froehlich Kelly had some good managers when he played in Detroit.