The sport of baseball will soon be in the rearview mirror for Issaquah High School 2019 graduate Cooper Thieme.

Thieme, who is competing on the Lakeside Baseball team based out of Bellevue this summer, is cherishing the final moments of his baseball life. Thieme will attend Montana State University this fall but will not be on the baseball team. He plans on majoring in mechanical engineering.

“It is great playing for Lakeside right now. We have three seniors from our Issaquah (2019) team and a few juniors. It has been a lot of fun. We are really playing well right now. Were 6-0 in league,” Thieme said during an interview at the Cypress Coffee Shop in Bellevue on June 10.

The 2019 high school baseball season this past spring was memorable for all the right reasons for the Issaquah Eagles. Issaquah won five loser-out games during the playoffs en route to a third-place finish in the 4A state tournament.

“It was pretty incredible. We didn’t start off too hot. Toward the end of the season it all came together for us. Our pitchers really carried us and the defense behind them was great I think we finished first or second in the league in fielding. We hit in clutch situations too. We just clutched up toward the end. It was great,” Thieme said.

The 206-mile bus ride from Gesa Stadium to the Issaquah High School campus with a third-place plaque in their possession is something Thieme will never forget.

“The ride back on the bus was incredible. We were a little salty (disappointed) that we didn’t get first place but that is how it goes. We really never expected to make state (tournament). It was incredible that we got that far,” Thieme said.

Thieme said he has absolutely no regrets about not pursuing baseball at the collegiate level and will thoroughly enjoy the summer competing on Lakeside’s summer team.

“You just have the chance to leave it all out here on the line. There is nothing to worry about. It is fun to play with the guys for one last ride,” Thieme said.

Recently the Issaquah Reporter had an opportunity to ask Thieme some questions about his life away from the baseball field.

Issaquah Reporter: What is your favorite restaurant in Issaquah/Bellevue area?

Cooper Thieme: Teriyaki & More (Bellevue). We (Issaquah baseball team) would go there all the time. We would just sit down, have a blast with all of the guys and enjoy the food.

IR: Who was your idol growing up?

CT: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels baseball player). He is an incredible baseball player. I use his number (No. 27). He is everything you want to be in a baseball player.

IR: Who is your pick to win the World Series this fall?

CT: At the start of the season it was the Seattle Mariners. Now that is not going to happen. I hate to say it but probably the New York Yankees. They are the New England Patriots of baseball.

IR: What is your biggest pet peeve?

CT: People who aren’t on time. If someone says be here at a certain time or to be ready then, you have to be ready then. If people are counting on you, you should be on time.

IR: What kind of music are you listening to the most in your car right now?

CT: 1980s rock and roll. My favorite band is AC/DC. I think my most listened to artist of 2018 was Tom Petty.

IR: Where do you see yourself in five years?

CT: Hopefully I’m working at Boeing. I’m majoring in mechanical engineering at Montana State.

Issaquah Eagles baseball Cooper Thieme (pictured) was a powerful hitter at the plate during the 2019 season. Issaquah captured third place at the 4A state tournament on May 25 at Gesa Stadium in Pasco. Photo courtesy of Don Borin/Stop Action Photography