In many relationships, trust often falters. But for Paul Skeens and Livy Dunn, trust appears to be built in some unique ways.
A former gymnast from LSU, Dunn has taken on a different role, helping her boyfriend, a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, secure a spot before spring training started. Swapping her leotard for baseball gear, she stepped into the right batter’s box to face Skeens, who is known for his impressive fastball.
In a fun moment shared on Skeens’ Instagram Stories, viewers could see Dunn confidently challenging her boyfriend’s pitches, all while he unleashed his fastball that touches the triple digits.
Despite not looking 100 percent, Dunn stayed focused as Skeens’ practice partner, managing to hit plenty of pitches thrown her way.
“The ultimate test of trust,” Skeens captioned the post, reflecting a light-hearted moment between them.
Since they began dating in 2023, Dunn has been spotted at various games across the country cheering Skeens on as he rapidly progressed in the MLB.
Following a stellar season, where Skeens recorded an impressive ERA of 1.97 with 216 strikeouts, he was honored as the National League’s top pitcher. He even made the All-Star team for the second time, becoming the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden to win both the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in succession.
Dunn showed her support for Skeens’ achievements on social media, playfully remarking, “Cy Young Skeens has a great ring to it.” The celebration of his accomplishments was shared with friends and family at the 2025 post-season selection show.
Before heading into his third season, Skeens is set to represent the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic, joining a star-studded lineup that includes other top players like Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and Yankees captain Aaron Judge.
“It’s special,” Skeens told reporters last season upon announcing his participation. “Growing up watching the World Baseball Classic, I never thought I’d actually play in it. So I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.”
In preparation for the WBC, having Dunn by his side will surely be essential for both of them.
Skeens, who has had a standout career since entering the league, started 55 games with a remarkable 1.96 ERA, totaling 386 strikeouts over 320.2 innings.
