On Monday the former Hawke's Bay under-14 and under-13 and Hastings West Ross Shield rugby rep will trial for his school's 1st and 2nd XVs before travelling to Nelson on Tuesday with the Vikings for the national men's interclub softball tournament, which will run from Wednesday until Sunday.
"I used to be a loosie at rugby but with all the base running at softball making me faster I'm going to trial at second five-eighth," Udy-Johns said. "I'm going to Nelson for the experience and with the likes of Auckland United and Canterbury champions Papanui in our section I will definitely get that."
The Luke Herrick-coached Vikings will play Hutt Valley Dodgers in today's final, their first in five years of travelling to the capital. Dodgers beat the Vikings 2-1 in their only encounter this season.
Udy-Johns was one of three Vikings to hit home runs in last weekend's 5-1 semifinal win against Porirua. It was his first in the Wellington comp and he has smashed four homers in Hawke's Bay premier men's play to date.
"I'm confident we can beat Dodgers. Having Regan on the mound is a big plus and tight defence will be the key," Udy-Johns said, referring to former Black Sox pitcher Regan Manley.
"In Sunday's final the team which makes the fewer mistakes will win. A lot will depend on how well those of us who go to Wellington recover too."
Former Black Sox pitcher and four-time world champion Chubb Tangaroa will coach the Hastings Boys' High School team next month. Udy-Johns said there is enough talent to emulate the feat of the HBHS junior team he coached to national title glory in Palmerston North in December.
Making the Junior Black Sox team for the 2018 Junior World Series in Canada is Udy-Johns' long-term goal. By the end of next year he will have an indication of if he is on target and this will likely be when he makes a final decision on which code becomes his priority.
Last year he was a serious contender for the Hawke's Bay under-16 rugby team but due to International Softball Academy commitments he was unavailable. During some downtime he made the Hawke's Bay under-15 rugby league team and was then selected in the Central Vipers under-15 side, which he had to withdraw from because of his softball trip across the Tasman.
It isn't surprising he listed "something sports-related" as his likely career option.
Udy-Johns was full of praise for the work Tangaroa and Giants player-coach Te Rangi Chadwick have put into him as well as the support from his parents Tania and Phil.
Chadwick is anticipating a tough final tomorrow.
"While Saints haven't come close to beating us this season the Wellington trip is a big focus for many of our players because it has taken us five years to reach that final. We have to get that match out of the way first."
Saints coach Paul Woon is confident his team will be competitive tomorrow.
"Our defence is very strong and if we can mix up our attack I'm sure we will have a chance."
Only two of his players, second baseman Xaviar Herrick and outfielder Dallas Brown, will play for the Vikings today.
Fast Pitch Giants: Regan Manley, Curtis Huata, Mario Herbert, Corey Harbrow, Puhi Rapea, Liam Udy-Johns, Donovan Mataira, Rongo Rapaea, Corban Kireka. Substitutes: Te Rangi Chadwick, Giovani Matairangi, Ihaka Tangaroa.
Saints: Adam Woon, Matt Williams, Mace Price, Xaviar Herrick, Jacob Zurcher, Jesse Little, Sam Coldicutt/Scott Bailey-Wray, Luke Woon (captain), Dallas Brown.
Substitutes: Caleb Leddie, Ken Price, Coldicutt/Bailey-Wray, Brad Woon.
