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Livvy Dunne explains nerves during Paul Skenes’ first start, recalls hilarious story on call-up

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Thomas Goldkamp | Last updated 5/11/24

One of the real power couples in sports got to experience together a moment they’ve been waiting on for a long time, with former LSU standout pitcher Paul Skenes making his Major League Baseball debut on Saturday in front of girlfriend and fellow LSU national champion Livvy Dunne.

Skenes got off to a great start, striking out two batters in the first frame.

Dunne was up in the stands cheering him on, and she stopped for a minute or two to discuss the historic first start for Skenes with the local broadcast crew.

“I always say it’s way harder to be the person in the stands watching because I’m not in control,” Dunne said. “I can’t control. I don’t know how to throw a 100 mile-per-hour fastball. It’s hard to have no control, especially with gymnastics too, just watching. But I know he’s got this and I just have a lot of confidence in him.”

Livvy Dunne discusses how her and Paul Skenes were napping when he got his call to the big leagues pic.twitter.com/Vn5Y0TcI8P
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Paul Skenes made his debut in super short order. At this time last year he was pitching against Mississippi State. The NCAA Tournament, which LSU would go on to win, hadn’t even started yet.

Now Skenes has flown through the minor leagues and raced to the big-league stage.

He was called up on Wednesday by the Pirates, who took him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Only Skenes wasn’t by his phone when the call came through.

“All I can say is I think that’s the quickest I’ve ever packed in my life,” Dunne relayed. “Yeah, we just woke up from a nap and he had a few missed calls and he got called up. Then he was like, ‘Let’s pack, and then we hit the road.’ It was so exciting.”

Skenes, of course, figures to be in the big leagues for a long time. With the kind of arm he has and the control with velocity, he could emerge as one of the best pitchers in the bigs.

Long way to go before all that, though.

For now, Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne are going to enjoy the moment after a whirlwind last year or two.

“I mean I have so many amazing memories with him, but I know how hard he’s worked for this moment and all the hours and just, I just know what a hard worker he is,” Dunne said. “So this is probably one of my favorite moments I’ve ever seen. Seriously, there’s nothing that can top this. I’m just so proud.”

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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