The Beast Hasn't Forgotten

Beast Mode vs Riptide

The Beast Hasn't Forgotten

Last season ended with Riptide lifting the Coastal Clash trophy and Beast Mode watching from the other side of a 12–7 Championship defeat. Now Beast Mode travels to Splinter City for another shot at the defending champions.

And this isn't their first chance at revenge. Riptide also defeated Beast Mode 23–17 during the regular season, giving them a 2–0 series advantage. But those final scores don't tell the entire story.

Beast Mode has players who have consistently beaten the champions. Brooks McGill carries an impressive 11–1–1 career Clash record and is a perfect 3–0 against Riptide. Captain Hastin McGill has also gone 3–0 against them. Misti Lee brings 13 career victories, giving Beast Mode another proven competitor.

Riptide's roster is equally dangerous. Bryan Dirks has yet to lose a Clash contest, standing at 10–0. Justin Istre follows at 9–1, while captain Will Deering has collected 12 career victories. That's a formidable foundation for a team looking to defend its championship.

The larger numbers favor Riptide as well. Last season, the champions won 68.6% of their singles contests and 60.6% of doubles. Beast Mode finished at 53.0% and 49.0%, respectively. That gap helps explain why individual successes haven't translated into a team victory.

But the top of the lineup is only part of the story. The middle and lower CI matchups could decide whether Beast Mode closes that gap. Those closely rated battles offer opportunities for both teams, and Beast Mode cannot afford to leave points behind.

Then comes doubles, where Riptide has historically held the stronger hand. Partnerships, lineup decisions, and a single throw could determine whether the defending champions maintain control or find themselves in a much tighter battle.

What to watch: Beast Mode has already proven it can beat Riptide's players. Can the Beast finally put together enough victories to take down the defending champions, or will the Riptide roll through another chapter of the growing rivalry?