University Southern California Trojans
Frank Alfano, Star of USC's 1970 and 1971 NCAA Champion Baseball Teams, Dies
September 06, 2019 | Baseball, Features
LOS ANGELES—Frank Alfano, a 3-year starting infielder for the USC baseball team who starred on a pair of NCAA championship squads and captained the 1971 national titlists, died on Thursday (Sept. 5) in San Diego, Calif., of leukemia. He was 69.
A service will be held on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. at The Church of St. Luke in El Cajon, Calif. (1980 Hillsdale Rd., 92019).
In USC's 2-1 win over Florida State in the 1970 NCAA championship game, Alfano's infield single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 15th inning brought home the winning run (it was his third hit of the game). He then had 3 RBIs, including a home run, in the Trojans' 7-2 victory over Southern Illinois for the 1971 NCAA crown. He made the All-College World Series team both years.
Alfano, who came to USC after leading San Diego's Crawford High to three consecutive CIF baseball finals, hit .239 as a 1969 sophomore part-time starting third baseman for the Trojans. He then started his 1970 junior season at second base, hitting .302 and making the All-Pac-8 second team. He split starting time at second base as a 1971 senior when he hit .264.
After USC, he spent 1972 playing for a pair of Minnesota Twins minor league teams.
He then worked for the City of San Diego Fire Department, retiring as a captain in 2007.
He also was a high school sports official in San Diego County, officiating baseball, football and track events, and umpired college games. He was inducted into the San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame in 2015.
He is survived by his wife Jayne, daughter Andrea and son Johnathon.
A service will be held on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. at The Church of St. Luke in El Cajon, Calif. (1980 Hillsdale Rd., 92019).
In USC's 2-1 win over Florida State in the 1970 NCAA championship game, Alfano's infield single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 15th inning brought home the winning run (it was his third hit of the game). He then had 3 RBIs, including a home run, in the Trojans' 7-2 victory over Southern Illinois for the 1971 NCAA crown. He made the All-College World Series team both years.
Alfano, who came to USC after leading San Diego's Crawford High to three consecutive CIF baseball finals, hit .239 as a 1969 sophomore part-time starting third baseman for the Trojans. He then started his 1970 junior season at second base, hitting .302 and making the All-Pac-8 second team. He split starting time at second base as a 1971 senior when he hit .264.
After USC, he spent 1972 playing for a pair of Minnesota Twins minor league teams.
He then worked for the City of San Diego Fire Department, retiring as a captain in 2007.
He also was a high school sports official in San Diego County, officiating baseball, football and track events, and umpired college games. He was inducted into the San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame in 2015.
He is survived by his wife Jayne, daughter Andrea and son Johnathon.
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