Reds: counterfeit tix sold Opening Day

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds say hundreds of counterfeit tickets for the team’s opening-day game are believed to have been sold on the streets prior to the matchup with the Miami Marlins.

The Reds said Friday that at least 47 of the counterfeit tickets were presented for admission to Thursday’s game at Great American Ball Park.

A Reds’ ticket operations official says counterfeiters have gotten so good at making fake tickets look real that it’s nearly impossible for buyers to recognize the difference. But the ticket operations director says the ballpark’s technology immediately rejects counterfeit tickets.

The Reds, who are cooperating with the police investigation, are recommending buyers use authorized Reds ticket agents when buying game tickets.

The Reds’ 4-0 victory over the Marlins drew one of the team’s biggest crowds.

 

Ohio State’s Thomas plans to return

COLUMBUS (AP) — Deshaun Thomas will not be joining Ohio State teammate Jared Sullinger in the NBA — yet.

Thomas said Friday he will return for his junior season. Two days earlier, Sullinger, also a sophomore and a two-time All-American, said he would give up his last two years of eligibility to enter the NBA draft.

Coach Thad Matta said in a school statement that Thomas, his family and the coaching staff spent the last week evaluating his draft prospects.

The 6-foot-7 forward from Fort Wayne, Ind., averaged 15.9 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Buckeyes, who went 31-8 and lost in the national semifinals.

 

RedHawks hire Cooper to replace Coles

OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — John Cooper, a Wichita State grad who has been the head coach at Tennessee State the past three seasons, has been named the new head coach at Miami University.

Cooper has served as an assistant at Auburn, Oregon, South Carolina and Fayetteville State. Last year’s Tennessee State squad went 20-13 — the school’s first winning mark since 1995-96 and the Tigers’ first 20-win season in 32 years. Among the victories was a 72-68 upset of then-No. 7 Murray State on Feb. 9.

He takes over for Charlie Coles, who retired after this past season.

 

Dunn ties opening day HR record

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Adam Dunn has tied a major league record with his eighth opening-day home run.

Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey Jr. are the only other major leaguers who have eight homers in openers. It is the sixth time Dunn has homered in the first game of the season. He twice had two homers on opening day, in 2005 and 2007 while with Cincinnati.