Inside Olivia Dunne's romance with Paul Skenes as the Pirates prospect prepares to enter the big leagues... including helicopter rides around NYC, tributes on TikTok - and their own dog!

Olivia Dunne could soon be cheering on Paul Skenes in Major League Baseball with her Pirates-rookie boyfriend waiting patiently for his MLB debut in Pittsburgh.

Skenes, who joined the Pittsburgh Pirates as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft after a stellar college career at LSU, is yet to make his professional bow for his new team 12 games into the 2024 season.

The 21-year-old pitcher has instead been plying his trade in the Triple-A league, where he produced an astonishing average of 100.1mph in 21 fastballs at the end of March.

His performances have been so electric that it is difficult to envisage the Pirates waiting much longer to introduce him to the big leagues - which would mark another memorable moment for him and Dunne early into their relationship.

The couple, who met at LSU, first went public with their romance in August after gymnastics sensation Dunne was spotted attending Skenes' games for minor-league team the Bradenton Marauders, and they have gone from strength to strength since.

Olivia Dunne could soon be cheering on boyfriend Paul Skenes in Major League Baseball

Skenes is knocking on the door for his professional bow in Pittsburgh after being selected as the No 1 overall pick in the 2023 Draft

The 21-year-old pitcher confirmed his romance with Dunne, whom he met at LSU, in August 

Since then their relationship has gone from strength to strength, with the pair even getting a dog in October

Dunne has been to watch her man in action on several occasions over the past eight months, while they have also attended college football and NFL fixtures together.

Just a few months after confirming their relationship, the loved-up pair even bought their own dog together - launching a pet Instagram account for the pup back in October.

By the time Thanksgiving came around a month later their feelings had clearly grown even stronger, with Dunne - who boasts over 12 million followers across her Instagram and TikTok accounts - sharing an adorable photo collage that included memories made with her beau.

The holiday period then proved a romantic one for them as they enjoyed a Christmas trip to New York City, where they visited Times Square and went on a helicopter tour of the Big Apple.

A few months ago, Dunne explained why her and Skenes have got a long so well since sparks first flew between them last year.

During an appearance on ESPN's Sports Center, she gushed over the baseball starlet while claiming their contrasting personalities blend together perfectly.

Dunne has been to watch her man in action on several occasions over the past eight months 

The LSU gymnastics sensation boasts over 12 million followers on Instagram and TikTok

The loved-up couple enjoyed a romantic trip to New York City over the holiday season 

The duo also posed in front of a helicopter before taking a tour of New York from up above

Dunne included photos of some of the memories she and Skenes have made so far in a Thanskgiving collage 

'He's pretty level-headed all the time, that's what I love about him,' she said. 

'And I think that we're a really good pair because of that, because I have a crazy lifestyle and things get thrown my way all the time. 

'Sometimes my emotions sway up and down, and he's very level. I just think it's a very good match.'

Dunne is one of the most famous online personalities in American sport, as well as a star gymnast for LSU.

According to On3's NIL tracker, the social-media phenomenon's estimated annual earnings from her name, image and likeness is roughly $3.5million, while she has also enjoyed partnerships with the likes of Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Body Armor, American Eagle Outfitters and Motorola.

When breaking his silence on their relationship in August, Skenes admitted that Dunne's unique level of fame can be frustrating for the couple. 

She explained said they are a 'very good' match as their personalities blend together perfectly

'It’s nice, for sure,' he said, via Jason Mackey of the romance. 'It can be a pain in the butt sometimes, to be honest, in terms of actually going somewhere. 

'If one of us went out in Baton Rouge [La.] by ourselves, there’s probably gonna be someone there asking for something — picture, autograph, whatever.'

While they are certainly enjoying each other's company, the eyeballs on Skenes and his girlfriend are bound to increase even further if he does indeed make his MLB debut for the Pirates this season.