Paul Skenes aims to raise $100k in strikeouts for charity after making Pirates debut in front of Livvy Dunne

Paul Skenes will donate $100 to a US veterans charity for every strikeout he records this season, while Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend aims to raise $100,000 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

That is according to the Gary Sinise Foundationwhich shared on its website that the 21-year-old, right-handed pitcher is “deeply” committed to veterans and first responders.

“With veterans in my own family and after spending two years at the Air Force Academy, my mission now is to support these heroes and families,” Skenes told the nonprofit.

“I am proud to partner with the Gary Sinise Foundation and will personally donate $100 per strikeout I record during the 2024 season to this fantastic foundation.”

He added: “Please join us and let’s make a difference together.”

The 21-year-old Righty reached 100 mph on 17 of his 84 pitches in a 10-9 win against the Cubs

In his Pirates debut on Saturday against the Cubs, Skenes struck out seven Dunne – an LSU Gymnastics star and women’s leader and top NIL deal earner. It is unclear whether these strikeouts will contribute to his cause.

Skenes, the top overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, showed why he is widely regarded as perhaps the best pitching prospect in a generation. He was greeted with a standing ovation by most of the Pittsburgh crowd, including his girlfriend, and reached 100 mph on 17 of his 84 pitches.

The 2023 College World Series champion was electric at times but hardly perfect, as he allowed at least one runner in every inning he started — including a solo homer to Nico Hoerner in the fourth — and was pulled after allowing a pair of hits as the opening of the match. fifth. He was charged with three runs on six hits with two walks and a hit batter.

“The stuff was really good, I think,” Skenes said after the Pirates’ 10-9 win. “I just have to get ahead of the hitters a little bit and more consistently. But I think it will happen.’

Skenes’ teammates celebrated the rookie by pouring Powerade on him after Saturday’s win

Pittsburgh’s bullpen imploded immediately after Skenes’ departure, allowing Chicago to score seven runs to take the lead, six of which were walked with the bases loaded, most of them on counts that weren’t even competitive.

Pirates outfielder Connor Joe and shortstop Oneil Cruz hit back-to-back home runs off Justin Steele in the third and center fielder Michael A. Taylor added a two-run shot in the fourth as Pittsburgh raced to what seemed like a 6-1 lead to put Skenes in position to earn his first victory.

“It’ll definitely be nice to get into a routine,” Skenes said.

‘I love routines and last week was quite difficult with that. But the bottom line is you have to go out there and pitch.”