The Suffolk Scene: Bay Shore wins 20 for 20

With another shutout from Taylor McGowan and a 2-for-4 day from Liz Weber, who also homered, Bay Shore coach Jim McGowan led the team to its 20th straight 20-win season on Thursday.

McGowan has coached the team since 1983, and the 20 seasons of 20 wins is a state record. The program has won at least 20 games in 24 of the 28 seasons he’s coached. In 1990 Bay Shore was 16-7, but bounced back to a 23-2 record in 1991, igniting the run. In the mid-1990s Suffolk switched to a 21 game season, making the milestone that much harder to achieve.

“I think the sign of a great program is consistency,” McGowan said. “There’s a difference between schools having good teams versus schools having good programs, it’s that commitment to excellence.”

“We talked about this yesterday, it’s a very special group and to embrace it and never minimize it. This is a very elite group, and this is my seventh undefeated regular season, so this is something this squad can cherish forever. I like their mental makeup. They know the second season is right around the corner and they’re ready.”