The Northwoods League is a summer baseball league comprised of teams of the top college players from across the nation and North America. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid (this preserves their NCAA eligibility).

Each team is operated similar to a professional minor league team, providing players an opportunity to play under the same conditions using wooden bats, minor league specification baseballs, experiencing overnight road trips, and playing nightly before fans in a stadium.

In his inaugural campaign with the Pipers, Eickman was named the MIAC rookie of the year and earned All-MIAC first team honors. He threw four complete games during the season, all in MIAC play, posting a conference ERA of 2.77.

Eickman made seven appearances on the mound against MIAC opponents, including six starts, leading the Pipers in innings pitched with 39.0. He struck out 21 batters, gave up just five extra-base hits, and walked just eight en route to a conference record of 3-3.

For more information about the Honkers, you may go to their website at: http://www.rochesterhonkers.com/