Lafayette Drillers Flashback: David Fuqua

The Lafayette Drillers, a Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, called Lafayette, Louisiana their home for two years, from 1975-1976.

The Drillers, who played their home games at Clark Field, were co-champions of the Texas League in 1975 with the Midland Cubs, finishing 72-57, before going 58-76 in 1976, the last year of affiliated professional baseball in Lafayette.

A number of outstanding players, who eventually made it into Major League Baseball ranks played at Clark Field in 1975 & 1976, including five former Lafayette Driller players.

All summer long, we’re taking a look back at some of the former players for the Drillers.

Today, David Fuqua.

Fuqua was a starting pitcher for the Drillers during both the 1975 and 1976 seasons.

A native of Bend, Oregon, Fuqua went to Bend High School, before being drafted in the 31st round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants in 1971.

The 6-foot-1, 172-pound Fuqua made minor league stops in Great Falls, Montana, Decatur, Georgia, Fresno, California, and Amarillo, Texas before joining the Drillers in 1975.

With Lafayette, Fuqua pitched in 27 games in ’75, starting 19, going 4-11, with a 4.61 earned run average, along with two saves.

In 125 innings pitched, Fuqua allowed 141 hits, 64 earned runs, and 50 walks, while striking out 68 hitters.

Fuqua was a workhorse, finishing third on the team in innings pitched, and third in games pitched.

The right-hander returned to Lafayette in 1976, going 5-6 with a 4.10 ERA.

After being out of professional baseball in 1977, Fuqua pitched in the Oakland system in 1978, before ending his career with an overall record of 41-60 with a 4.16 ERA.