‘Windfall,’ 10 p.m. NBC

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RED DEVILS 6, SHIRETOWNERS 1

Houlton (8-8) Central (16-1)

Player AB R H BI Player AB R H BI

Eastman, p 3 0 0 0 Haney, lf 4 2 0

L. Herring, lf 3 0 1 0 Underhill, ss 3 1

Harbison, c 3 0 0 0 Randall, c 4 0 3

Haney, 1b 3 0 0 0 Voisine, 3b 3 0 1

A. Herring, rf 1 0 0 0 Collins, 1b 2 0

Prosser, cf 3 0 0 0 Brownell, cf 3 1 0

Faulkingham, ss 3 0 0 0 Washburn, 2b 2 0

Graham, 2b 3 1 2 0 Trafton, 2b 1 0 0

Lackey, 3b 3 0 1 1 Morin, rf-dh 2 1 0

Blackwell, ph 1 0 0 0

Speed, dh-rf 2 1 1 0

Shina, ph 0 0 0 0

Totals 25 1 4 1 Totals 27 6 6 5

Houlton 000 010 0 – 1

Central 150 000 x – 6

E-Harbison, Prosser, Graham; LOB-Houlton 5, Central 6; 2B-Lackey; 3B-Graham; SB-Brownell, Collins

Houlton IP H R ER BB SO

Eastman (L,8-8) 6 6 6 2 2 3

Central IP H R ER BB SO

Libby (W,15-1) 7 4 1 1 1 11

HBP-A. Herring (by Libby); WP-Eastman 3; Libby; PB-Harbison 2; T-1:25; ATT-50 (est.)

This is one of those rare creatures – an original, scripted drama airing on a network during the summer.

The sunny season used to be a time when networks could try out offbeat shows in a protective atmosphere.

After all, less fresh competition gives a series a better chance to flourish.

But now, the nets have given the summer over to cheaper reality programming, depending on greed and ambition to deliver viewers.

That’s why “Windfall” is a nice change of pace, while it’s hardly groundbreaking drama.

At least it’s an escape from reality (TV).

“Windfall,” created by Laurie McCarthy (“Felicity,” “CSI: Miami”), tells the story of 20 people who win and share a $386-million lottery.

The series details the complications that follow the initial ecstasy.

At the center of this group are longtime friends and couples Peter (Luke Perry, “Beverly Hills 90210”) and Nina (Lana Parrilla, “Boomtown”) and Cameron (Jason Gedrick, “Boomtown”) and Beth (Sarah Wynter, “24”). Nina and Cameron were once an item and still have feelings for each other.

Several types also share in the money: the rebellious teen, the man with the shadowy past, the well-meaning do-gooder, the teen girl trapped between divorcing parents, the spunky single mother.

Maybe these characters will get developed later in the series.

“Windfall,” now at its second network before finally getting on the air, exhibits why the nets have abandoned scripted shows in the summer.

With quality scripted cable programs such as “The Closer,” “The 4400,” “Rescue Me” and “Nip/Tuck” airing then, a series really has to be truly worthwhile to have an impact.

“Windfall,” while a diverting trifle, is not.