Norfolk State University will have a new baseball conference affiliation starting in spring 2023.

The Spartans, along with three other MEAC programs, are joining the Northeast Conference as an associate member for baseball and golf.

Also making the move from the MEAC to the NEC are Delaware State, Maryland-Eastern Shore and Coppin State.

The MEAC lost its automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament due to lack of membership. The NEC champion is an automatic qualifier for NCAAs.

The Spartans won their only MEAC baseball crown in 2021, and advanced to the NCAAs.

That was the last season the MEAC had enough teams to qualify for the postseason.

NEC baseball members are Fairleigh Dickinson, N.J., Wagner, N.Y., Long Island, N.Y., Merrimack, Mass., Central Connecticut, Sacred Heart, Mass., and Stonehill Mass.

Norfolk State and three additional MEAC affiliates will continue to play their other sports in the MEAC.