WEST PARIS – West Paris dropped defending champion Winthrop, 11-6, in Game 1 of the best-of-three Pine Tree League senior baseball championship series Sunday at Perham Field.

Eric Cavers jumpstarted West Paris’ 19-hit attack in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run, one of his three hits in the game.

The Westies carried a 5-1 lead into the top of the sixth inning before the Red Sox tied the game with a four-run uprising. Bob Cochran led off with a single followed by a Dave Ricker walk.

After a errant throw on a bunt, Mike House and Matt Richardson followed with RBI hits to tie the game.

West Paris came back in the bottom half of the frame to plate five runs. A hit batsman and singles by Cavers and Jerod Verrill (four singles) loaded the bases.

Jerry Verrill’s sacrifice fly and RBI hits from Jeff Austin and Tony Smith accounted for the runs.

Mike McBride topped off the Westies’ scoring with a solo shot to lead off the eighth inning.

Cavers picked up the win on the hill. Dennis McHugh absorbed the loss.

Other repeat hitters for the Westies were McBride, Brian Cox and Eben Gilman. Richardson was the only repeat offender for the Red Sox.

Game 2 is Sunday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at Winthrop High School.