FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas got off to a slow start Tuesday, but the Razorbacks still managed to put away Northern Colorado.

Andrew Darr hit a home run and Chase Leavitt reached base five consecutive times to lead Arkansas to a 9-2 victory over the Bears at Baum Stadium. Darr hit his fourth home run of the season, and Leavitt, the Razorbacks’ leadoff batter, was a frequent base runner with three singles and two walks.

Leavitt had a two-out, two-run single in the fifth when Arkansas (23-17 ) scored four runs to take an 8-2 lead.

Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn was looking for some more production at the plate Tuesday after the Razorbacks were outhit 40-24 in a series victory over Tennessee last weekend. Arkansas’ frustration continued early when the Razorbacks hit into two double plays and trailed 2-1 after three.

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But the Razorbacks were finally able to bunch eight runs together in the middle innings to lead 9-2 after six. Eibner added two hits and an RBI for Arkansas, which outhit Northern Colorado 9-5. Evan Cox (1-0 ) got the victory with three scoreless innings in relief of starter Sam Murphy.

“[Leavitt ] had a really good night and kind of jump-started us,” Van Horn said. “He got a two-out hit that gave us a six-run lead, and that was big. We hadn’t done that in a while and it was good to see.”

Northern Colorado (14-25 ) started Chad Murray, the team’s leading hitter, who had pitched only four innings all season before Tuesday. Murray (0-1 ) avoided damage early before Arkansas strung together three runs on three hits in the fourth. Eibner and Leavitt had RBI singles in the inning before Ben Tschepikow chased Murray with an RBI double to give Arkansas a 4-2 lead.

Leavitt had a two-out, two-run single in the fifth to help Arkansas increase its lead to 8-2. Jeff Nutt had the only other hit in the inning with a leadoff single.

“I was able to get on base a lot, which is my job, so I’m pretty pleased with that,” Leavitt said. “I wanted to be aggressive and I got a fastball in the fifth and just turned on it. I knew we had runners on and I wasn’t going to miss that opportunity.”

Northern Colorado aided Arkansas’ fifth-inning rally by throwing away two balls after fielding bunts.

“We missed four different bunt plays in that game,” Northern Colorado Coach Kevin Smallcomb said. “If we protect the baseball it’s a different game.”

Northern Colorado made three of the six errors in the game, but center fielder Erik Hegstad saved a run with a diving catch in the first inning. Leavitt led off with a walk before Tschepikow hit a line drive into the alley in left-center. Hegstad made a diving catch on the wet grass and the relay throw was in time to get Leavitt trying to scramble back to first base.

Today’s game has been moved up an hour and will start at 12: 05 p. m. to accommodate Northern Colorado’s travel plans. Eibner will move from center field and make his third start as a pitcher this season.