Cox, who is riding a 21-game hitting streak, had a career-high six RBI while going 3-for-5 on the night with a three-run homer in the fifth inning and a three-run double in the eighth.
"It was a big night for us to come back and get this win after starting off so bad," Cox said. "We got big hits at the right time and closed the door on them when we got the opportunity."
The Razorbacks (16-5, 2-2 SEC) started slowly with shortstop Matt Reynolds struggling with two early errors and pitcher Mike Bolsinger surrendering three early walks. The mistakes allowed Alabama (16-4. 2-2 SEC) to build a 5-0 lead with just two hits through five innings.
However, Reynolds started the rally with a single in the fifth. Brett Eibner also reached on a single before Cox's clout to left field rang up three runs for the Hogs. After a double by Monk Kreder, first baseman Andy Wilkins powered a two-run homer to right center for his 35th dinger of his career, which ranks fifth on Arkansas' all-time list.
Alabama coach Mitch Gaspard felt the game turned on those two home runs.
"I though the key to the game on our side was we allowed Cox and Wilkins both to beat us, and we came into the game knowing thos were the two guys we wanted to take out," Gaspard said.
Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn was just happy to see some life in his squad.
"I'm glad we finally responded," Van Horn said. "When it was 5-0, we could have rolled over, but we had some serious attitude in that dugout."
Alabama did, too, and all those attitudes rushed onto field as the dugouts cleared in the seventh inning after a collision at third base. Emotions flared as the two squads stared each other down between home plate and third, but no punches were passed before the flareup dissipated.
"There were some words said. I think it was started on the other side," Van Horn said. "Obviously, I'm going to say that because that is what I was told by my guy. Their runner came in high and hard at Cox. You know it happens. It's conference play. It's Arkansas-Alabama.We had a big crowd, and it was intense."
After the Hogs tied the game in the fifth, Alabama moved back ahead with two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth for an 8-5 lead.
But Alabama right hander Jason Townsend walked Arkansas' Bo Bigham and Reynolds before Brett Whitaker came to the mound for Bama and walked Collin Kuhn, setting the table for Cox.
"In the eighth inning, we were trying to pitch Cox away," Gaspard said. "We were pitching around him basically. We made a mistake right there, and the ball got over the middle and he hammered it. That's what good players do. They delivered big hits when they had to."
Cox's double tied the game, and he scored the go-ahead run when Alabama shortstop Josh Rutledge allowed designated hitter Monk Kreder's hot grounder through the infield.
With closer D.J. Baxendale on the mound in the ninth, the Hogs turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.
The second game of the series is on tap at 2:05 p.m. Saturday with right-hander Eibner (2-2, 3.18 ERA) on the mound for the Hogs and right-hander Jimmy Nelson (4-0, 1.26 ERA). Sunday's game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
