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For most batters, getting a ball past the infielders is a difficult enough task when facing heaters of 60 to 70 mph.

Not so for Japanese left-fielder Kinjo Haruki, however. Through four games, the slugger is batting a tournament-leading .833 with 13 RBIs.

Next on the RBI鈥坙ist are three players 鈥� tied with six each.

The 18-year-old Haruki blasted out of the gates in Japan鈥檚 33-1 opening victory over Singapore Friday, going six-for-six at the plate with two doubles and seven RBI in the shellacking.

Haruki said he鈥檚 happy about his play so far and hopes to be able to lead his team to a strong finish.

Through a team interpreter, Haruki said he is enjoying his first world championship experience.

And while Haruki is far and away the top hitter thus far in the tournament, Japanese ace Okazaki Kento is mowing down batters from the pitcher鈥檚 rubber.

The returnee from the 2012 world championships has racked up a tournament-leading three wins, alongside 19 strikeouts and a miniscule 0.93 ERA.

Despite the early successes, however, Okazaki said he will not be happy until he wins a title.

At the 2012 championship in Argentina, Okazaki dueled with Argentina ace Huemul Mata in the final, ultimately losing 5-0.

Okazaki worked 3.1 innings and gave up two hits before being saddled with the loss.

鈥淚鈥檒l be happy to play in the world championship,鈥� the 19-year-old said yesterday. 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping we can be number one.鈥�

Okazaki smirked when asked about his thoughts on Whitehorse.

鈥淗e鈥檚 happy for the beautiful women,鈥� interpreter Tanumo Shintaro chuckled.

Japan鈥檚 head coach, Yamaguchi Yoshio, said there鈥檚 still a lot of softball to be played, and much hard work to be done.

鈥淏efore the championship, there鈥檚 USA, New Zealand ... First place is still far away,鈥� Yoshio said.

As for Haruki鈥檚 current hot streak?

鈥淗e鈥檚 a number one,鈥� said Yoshio. 鈥淗e鈥檚 been our best player.鈥�