Adversity to one sometimes translates into opportunity for another.

That's how it worked out for former Hawai'i Rainbow Matt Inouye. Injuries to other players opened a roster spot for him with the Waikiki BeachBoys of Hawaii Winter Baseball. He joined his team two Saturdays ago in Maui. The 2002 Mid-Pacific Institute graduate is one of two players who played high school ball here in HWB. West Oahu pitcher Reid Santos is a Castle High graduate.

"I'm getting a lot of experience playing against guys (who played) at high levels," Inouye said. "I'm just happy to be here and happy for the opportunity to play with these guys."

Inouye, a catcher, was drafted in the 21st round by the Chicago White Sox in 2006 after four season with the Rainbows.

Since turning pro, Inouye has been hampered with injuries of his own. A hamate bone injury in his left hand set him back this past season, putting him in extended spring training. When he was healthy, he was assigned to Great Falls (Mont.) of the rookie Pioneer League, where he played in just 40 games, but hit .309 with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and five steals with 28 RBI. So any at-bats or innings on defense will only help him when he returns to spring training in February.

"This is good for me to get a little more ABs," he said.

Inouye has been in four games, batting .309 (4 for 13) with a double and two RBI.

"It feels good to know I can compete with these guys," he said. "I just hope I can keep progressing and make the best of the situation."

At UH, Inouye was used primarily as an outfielder. But the White Sox drafted him as a catcher.

"I've always loved catching," he said. "Didn't catch too much in college, but I like catching and I hope to stay behind the plate as long as I can."

Inouye said if there was no HWB, he probably would be spending the offseason working to supplement his minor league income.

EXTENDED STAY

This is North Shore second baseman Chris Valaika's second trip to Hawai'i.

He had a brief visit while playing for UC Santa Barbara, which was swept in a two-game series by Inouye's Rainbows in 2006.

"I'm having a great time here," Valaika said. "The people have been great, the culture's great."

Valaika was a third-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2006. He had been a shortstop, but is getting time at second base in HWB.

"Cincinnati wants me to start working on second base and hopefully all around the infield," he said. "It's just a couple more tools to have."

North Shore manager Kevin Bradshaw, who is from the Tigers organization, said he had been informed by Reds officials about the position change.

"One part of coming here is learning a new position," Bradshaw said. "He's taking to second base pretty well. The Cincinnati Reds think his best chance to get to the big leagues is to play second base, so he's made some good adjustments to that position."

Valaika started the past season at Low-A Dayton of the Midwest League, where he batted .307 with 20 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 56 RBI, earning all-league honors. He was promoted to High-A Sarasota of the Florida State League, where he hit .253 with nine doubles, a triple and two homers with 23 RBI.

"Offensively, I think I need to work on some plate discipline, having some better at-bats," he said. "Defensively, I need the consistency and confidence to play everywhere in the infield."

Since he was here only a few days with UCSB, he's making up for lost time in the nine-week HWB.

"Now, we play the day game and get to go to the beach (later in the day) and take in what Hawai'i has to offer," said Valaika, who added he is learning to surf.

CANEFIRES END SKID

Ian Gac homered for the second game in row, driving in four runs on a 2-for-3 performance, to help West Oahu snap a six-game losing streak in an 8-2 win against Waikiki yesterday at Hans L'Orange Park.

By mutual agreement between managers, the game was scheduled for eight innings to rest pitchers' arms, according to a league press release. When this series ends tomorrow, the teams will have played in eight consecutive days, the longest stretch on the schedule.

Chad Tracy added a three-run home run for West Oahu (3-10-1) in a four-run second off Waikiki starter Jared Lansford (0-1), who went four innings for the BeachBoys (7-7).

CaneFires starter Keisaku Itokazu (1-0) went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned), five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Tyler Chambliss tacked on 2 2/3 scoreless for his first save.

NORTH SHORE WINS IN 10

Brad Corley greeted relief pitcher Brian Ouellette with a single to center to score Stephen Chapman from second base with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning to lead North Shore over Honolulu, 4-3, last night.

The Honu (10-4) won their fourth in a row, while the Sharks (7-6-1) had their four-game win streak stopped.

Chapman led off the 10th with an infield single off Kris Medlen (0-1) before Lou Santangelo flied out to right. Pinch hitter Matt Gamel walked and was lifted for pinch-runner Masahiro Nagata.

Medlen was pulled for Ouellette and Corley drilled his 1-2 pitch to center to score Chapman, who was 3 for 5.

Charles Benoit (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for the Honu.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.