Lefferts pitched Arizona to the 1980 College World Series championship with victories over Michigan in the third round and Hawaii in the championship game. In 1979, he earned All Pac-10 Southern Division honors, as well as the J.K. McKale Award as the team's leading pitcher that year. He posted a 10-3 record and a 3.68 earned-run average for the year. Lefferts compiled a 20-7 record and a 3.88 ERA during his college career. The left-hander was a relief ace for the San Diego Padres' 1984 National League champions.