Gymnast Olivia Dunne Struggles to Watch Boyfriend Paul Skenes in World Baseball Classic

Dunne posts video of her nerves as Skenes works out of a bases-loaded jam for Team USA

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:23pm

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NCAA champion gymnast Olivia Dunne, the girlfriend of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, posted a TikTok video showing her extreme nervousness as she watched Skenes pitch his way out of a bases-loaded jam while playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic. Skenes ultimately got the win, but Dunne admitted she may not be "cut out" for the stress of watching her boyfriend in high-pressure baseball situations.

Why it matters

Dunne and Skenes are a high-profile young sports couple, with Dunne being one of the most followed college athletes on social media. Their relationship has drawn significant public interest, and Dunne's candid reaction to the stress of watching Skenes pitch in a major international tournament provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by athletes' significant others.

The details

In the fourth inning of the semifinal game, the Dominican Republic loaded the bases against Skenes. However, Skenes was able to get catcher Austin Wells to fly out, ending the threat. Dunne posted a video to TikTok showing her visibly stressed and anxious as Skenes worked his way out of the jam. In the comments, Dunne admitted she was not "cut out" for the stress of watching her boyfriend in such high-pressure situations.

  • Skenes started the semifinal game for Team USA on March 16, 2026.
  • In the fourth inning, the Dominican Republic loaded the bases against Skenes.

The players

Olivia Dunne

An NCAA champion gymnast and one of the most followed college athletes on social media, who is the girlfriend of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.

Paul Skenes

A pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who was the starting pitcher for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic.

Junior Caminero

A player for the Dominican Republic who hit a home run off Skenes in the game.

Austin Wells

The catcher for Team USA who flew out to end the bases-loaded threat against Skenes in the fourth inning.

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What they’re saying

“When someone says they're stressed but they've never watched their man get out of a bases loaded jam repping the USA”

— Olivia Dunne

“I am not cut out for this”

— Olivia Dunne

What’s next

Skenes is finished pitching in the World Baseball Classic and can now focus on his club team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dunne is likely to be on hand for several of his games.

The takeaway

Olivia Dunne's candid reaction to the stress of watching her boyfriend Paul Skenes pitch in a high-pressure international tournament highlights the challenges faced by athletes' significant others, even those who are successful athletes themselves. Dunne's openness about her nerves provides a relatable moment for fans and a reminder of the human side of elite sports.