Yet the Dodgers didn’t want to dwell on any empty feelings lingering at Rogers Park — mostly because head coach Andi Adams and her players felt like Miller himself wouldn’t want anything to get in the way of the task at hand.

After paying tribute to Miller — who died tragically in a car accident last January — and his family before the first pitch, Fort Dodge easily defeated Sioux City North in its 2025 debut by a final of 8-0 in six innings on Diamond 1.

Returning to the field for the first time since her sophomore year, Cadence Touney — who missed all of last season with an injury — went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two doubles and five RBI. Senior classmate Lucy Porter fired a two-hit shutout, striking out 14 batters in the circle to reach the 500-K mark for her decorated career.

A pregame ceremony recognized Miller, a long-time coach and treasured teacher and administrator in the district. Miller had served as Adams’s right-hand man for nearly a decade, helping the softball program to seven consecutive state tournament appearances and three championship-game berths — including a Class 5A title in 2021.

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: The Fort Dodge softball team joins the family of the late Aaron Miller for a picture at Rogers Park on Monday.

Adams took the microphone herself to honor Miller, telling the large opening-night crowd, “we were all blessed to have someone like him in our lives.”

“But there is no sadness today — only celebration,” Adams reminded everyone. “That’s the way Aaron would want it.”

Miller’s mother, Ellyn, threw out the first pitch, with a number of other family members standing behind her in support. The entire FDSH softball program then joined them at the center of the infield for a group photo, with Adams donning Miller’s old No. 51 Dodger baseball jersey.

Fort Dodge harnessed its energy once the contest was under way, with Touney and Porter leading the way. Touney drilled an RBI single in the first inning, a run-scoring double in the third, a two-run homer in the fifth and another RBI double to end it via the new mercy rule — an 8-run lead after five or six innings instead of 10 — in the sixth.

“I went out there just thinking, ‘do it for A-Mill.’ He wouldn’t want anything else, because he was there with us (in spirit),” Touney said. “Being back after such a long time off comes with a lot of pressure and expectations. But I’ve learned to take it as it’s given.

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Cadence Touney of Fort Dodge hits a two-run home run against Sioux City North on Monday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.n et

“I use that energy to simply play like it’s my last, because you never know what could happen again. And to play for (Coach Miller).”

Porter, a Minnesota State University softball recruit, got plenty of offensive support — but still took things into her own hands. She struck out the side in the third, fifth and sixth frames.

Porter, a second team all-stater last summer, is now 68-24 in her fifth season of varsity ball, with 500 strikeouts in 525.2 career innings pitched.

“I knew this was going to be a good night after seeing how our (preseason) scrimmages went (last week),” Porter said. “It was so special to have Coach Miller’s family there and have a piece of him on the field with us. Emotions were high at first, but we used it to our advantage and know he will always be with us.”

Porter had offseason surgery herself to repair a torn bicep.

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Lucy Porter of Fort Dodge pitches against Sioux City North on Monday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

“It felt so good to be back after sitting out for months and not pitching in spring ball,” Porter added. “I had to use what I’d been working on with (trainer) Bre (Drees) the last couple of months and be confident in myself.

“Overall, it was a great night. I wouldn’t have reached this milestone without my team and the coaching staff.”

Adams noticed the injuries to Touney and Porter gave them both a unique perspective.

“Something very important was taken away from them,” Adams said. “They work and fight as though every out is their last. That type of passion is what we all strive to have, not just in this game, but life.

“It was perfect on a night like this that we dedicated to Aaron.”

Another senior, Meah McCaleb, scored twice and had a perfect squeeze bunt that plated a run. Sophomore catcher Ellie Doster was on base four times, roping an RBI double to left in the fifth. She was also hit twice and reached on an error.

Maeleena Meyer, Doster’s courtesy runner, crossed home in all four of those occasions.

North, which went 28-10 a year ago, wore red and black ribbons to both honor Miller and show solidarity with the Dodger program on this evening.

Senior Ashlyn Wills singled and doubled for Fort Dodge, which is back in action on Tuesday in a single varsity contest with Dallas Center-Grimes. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Rogers Park.

FORT DODGE 8, SIOUX CITY NORTH 0 (6)

SC North 000 000 — 0 2 2

Fort Dodge 103 031 — 8 8 1

WP–Lucy Porter (6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 14 K). 2B–FD: Cadence Touney 2, Ellie Doster, Ashlyn Wills. HR–FD: Cadence Touney. SB–FD: Hope Alstott 2, Meah McCaleb, Ashlyn Wills, Macy Wills.