‘This is how I want to play’: Gahanna softball embraces chaos
Monday, April 13, 2026
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Gahanna junior Kira Bailey, a Minnesota commit, bunts her way aboard in a home game against Westerville Central last week. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Kira Bailey is always looking for her next opportunity to catch her opponent off guard. Standing at first base, the Gahanna Lincoln junior softball player looks at the pitcher before she checks the positioning of the fielders.
It’s all information that she processes quickly and stores until she’s ready to make her move. A moment of distraction or absentmindedness is all Bailey needs before she takes off.
“I’m going to take as many bases as I can,” she said. “If the pitcher or the middle infielder isn’t paying attention to me and just walking back to their spots … I love taking bases when people don’t expect me to take them.”
When it works, it’s a thing of beauty. When it doesn’t … that’s OK too.
“I just briefly shake it off,” said Bailey, who is committed to play at Minnesota. “I know I took the risk and I know my teammates will have my back. It didn’t work out then, but I always believe I’ll get it the next time.”
Bailey is the personification of aggressiveness that has made the Lions into the program they are today.
Bailey leads the Lions with 20 stolen bases through 11 games heading into their OCC-Ohio Division game at Grove City on April 13. She’s batting .657 with 23 hits and 17 runs – also team-highs.
Gahanna senior Aubrey Yekisa tries to beat out a ground ball during the Lions’ home game with Westerville Central last week. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Rooted in the sport by her family, Bailey already has her name etched in the OHSAA record books. Her 60 stolen bases last season are tied with Hamilton Ross’ Hayley Hudson and Bellville Clear Fork’s Taylor Kline for 10th all-time.
Bailey’s sister Kirnan Bailey stole 75 bases her senior season in 2023, good for third all time. Kirnan, a sophomore at the University of Dayton, is tied for ninth all-time with Hudson at 152 career stolen bases. Kirnan’s .564 career and .647 single season (2023) batting averages are also in the state record books. Their sister, Mattie, graduated from Gahanna in 2024 and plays at Muskingum.
They all played under their father, Lions’ coach Matt Bailey, who has led the program since 2022, authors an aggressive style. That style isn’t limited to baserunning, but defense and pitching.
“I’m a big proponent of – not only stolen bases – but running the bases well,” he said. “We want to get to third base with less than two outs. Defensively, we’re attacking by diving for balls. If we’re pitching, it’s get ahead and attack in all facets of the game.”
Senior Aubrey Yekisa is all too familiar with Gahanna’s style. She’s been in the program all four years and another aggressive player who uses her speed to her advantage.
The center fielder entered the season with 43 stolen bases, adding 12 this season, good for second on the team.
“This is how I want to play,” Yekisa said. “Obviously, we like to run and I think we’re really good at it. (Coach) Bailey always says, ‘Don’t be happy with the base you’re on.’ So, we’re always looking to take a couple of extra bases when we can.”
Freshman Amira Evans plays for Gahanna because her school, Columbus School for Girls, does not field a team. Photo: Kevin Rouch
It’s part of what makes Gahanna, well, Gahanna. Sophomore Caleigh Cannon (C, OF) has 10 stolen bases and freshman Amira Evans (2B) has nine as the Lions have swiped 73 bags this season.
Gahanna lost six seniors off last year’s team, which finished 19-12 overall after falling to Lancaster 5-2 in a Division I regional final. So, there were some questions coming into the year.
The Lions are enjoying a five-game winning streak and are 9-2 overall and the front-runner for its fifth consecutive league title at 3-0. They are one game ahead of Pickerington North and Westerville Central, which they beat 10-6 at home on April 9.
Coach Bailey says his team is a little more well-rounded this season. Junior Bella Costa (3B) has seven home runs and 19 RBIs.
“We work a ton on bunting and small ball,” Matt Bailey said. “That’s usually been our forte. But I’ll take someone who can hit it over the fence too.”
Evans has only played in six games this season. She attends Columbus School for Girls, which doesn’t field a softball team, and had to miss the Lions’ spring trip to Florida because the school’s breaks didn’t line up.
The lineup is littered with younger players like Evans. Costa, Kira Bailey and fellow juniors Adrionna Dunton (UTIL) and Fotini Belak (P) along with Cannon and Lauren Guthrie (P/1B), who is also a sophomore. Belak is 5-1 with a 2.64 ERA in 45 innings pitched this season and Dunton has five doubles to lead the team.
Seniors Maya Ash (OF), Ava Miller (UTIL) and Ella Carlson (P/1B) are also regulars along with Yekisa.
“We have everything,” Kira Bailey said. “We have pitching, we have speed (and) we have power. That’s why I think we come together so (well) – we don’t just have one thing. We have it all.”
Gahanna junior Bella Costa, seen here belting an extra-base hit against Westerville Central last week, has seven home runs and 19 RBIs to pace the Lions this season. Photo: Kevin Rouch