June 13, 2003

CHARLOTTE, NC - Charlotte 49ers senior second baseman George Sandel just signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Mariners. He is currently in Arizona at a post draft combine and then he will report to Everett, Washington of the Northwest League (Short Season Class A). Sandel becomes the 47th Charlotte 49er and the 18th under Coach Loren Hibbs to play professional baseball.

Sandel, a senior this past season, was named second team All-Conference USA for the third straight season. He became the second Charlotte player to earn All-Conference USA honors three times.

This past season, Sandel played in all 49 of Charlotte's games at either second base or shortstop. He finished the season with a team-high .330 batting average. He collected 64 hits, scored 46 runs and had 11 doubles this season. He has collected at least a hit in 36 games with 19 multi-hit games including five three-hit games and two four-hit games.

He finished his career with a .348 batting average which is the seventh highest career average in the program's history. He collected 216 hits, 37 doubles and 106 RBI in his three seasons at Charlotte.