Paul Skenes admits he almost ‘passed out’ during the MLB All-Star Game when superstar girlfriend Olivia Dunne cheered him on

MLB rookie Paul Skenes admitted he was battling nerves ahead of his long-awaited All-Star debut.

The 22-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates star pitched the first inning for the National League on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas.

4

4

Skenes only made his major league debut in May after working his way through the minors.

The number 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, he has already established himself as one of the best pitchers in the sport.

Armed with a triple-digit fastball and a devilish splitter, Skenes took over on Tuesday to open for the NL against the American League.

He is only the fifth rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game in the showcase’s 94-year history.

And he admitted to reporters that the nerves in the pre-game locker room almost got the better of him.

“I don’t think I passed out, but I was pretty close,” Skenes laughed, for o Daily Mail.

Skenes threw just 16 pitches total and got the NL off to a perfect start at Globe Life Field.

The 22-year-old faced a formidable opening of Steven Kwan, Gunnar Henderson, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

He pitched a clean inning, walking Soto before producing a groundout to third base to get rid of New York Yankees slugger Judge.

“The coolest thing is they were very accepting of me and welcomed me into the clubhouse with open arms,” Skenes said of his teammates after the game, which the AL won 5-3.

“They supported me a lot, following my start.

“It was really cool. I definitely feel like I’m one of them.”

“It was a great look at the bullpen as far as where he was,” said Skenes’ teammate that day, Tarik Skubal.

“I mean, he’s an incredible talent. No one will question his talent and what he has, and he works hard.

DUNNE AND SKENES’ SUMMER OF LOVE

Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes managed to keep their relationship a secret before finally going public last summer.

The two met at LSU, but it’s unclear when they started dating.

Rumors of a romance began when Dunne watched LSU win the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, last summer.

And Dunne posted selfies from Fort Myers, Fla., where Skenes was playing.

He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and began his professional career playing in the minor leagues in the Sunshine State.

The final clue came when Dunne posed in a Pirates cap before the pair finally went public.

“I think he’s great for the game of baseball.”

Skenes was cheered on by his girlfriend Olivia Dunne from the crowd.

The LSU gymnast and social media sensation wore a custom-made shirt for the occasion.

Skenes and Livvy started dating in college and are NCAA national champions.

Dunne recently announced he would return to Baton Rouge for his fifth and final year.

4