SPICE COMPETES FOR DIZZY DEAN HONORS:

The 19 and under New Orleans Spice baseball team is heading to Southaven, MS and the Dizzy Dean World Series in search of the program's third national championship.

The Spice will travel and participate in opening ceremonies on Friday, July 20th with play beginning on Saturday, July 21st. The the tournament will feature a double elimination bracket with top teams competing from Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and more.

Led by head coach Danny Riehm, the Spice captured Dizzy Dean national titles in both 2006 and 2007 with a runner up finish in 2008. Riehm feels like this group has the potential to be in the mix for another impressive finish.

"We have a great group of young men with us this summer. They have bought in to our hard nosed, intelligent style of play. We feel like we play all phases of the game well and bring a great deal of enthusiasm to the park on a daily basis. The Dizzy Dean World Series is a great opportunity to showcase New Orleans and Louisiana baseball on a national stage. We are excited about the possibilities!" Riehm said.

The Spice have played a tough schedule and are ready for the challenges that they will face in Southaven. Locally, the team participated in the Southeast Louisiana Dizzy Dean league and also competed in numerous tournaments at collegiate facilities against some of the best talent in the state and region. This type of schedule has them well prepared.

"We are battle tested so to speak. We have been playing teams that are older and more talented than we are as of late. But to be honest, we have gone toe to toe with them and showed that we belong. This team will not back away from an opportunity to compete." said Spice coach Danny Riehm.

Check sportsNOLA.com for updates when the New Orleans Spice open up play on Saturday.